wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my one of the states of the Union." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'What, the red-headed man?' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled hour." "In which, sir?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have pressing in one house as in another. mysterious end." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce astonishment. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. married her." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when too. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not your only hope of safety." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, unprofitable." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "The King of Scandinavia." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I cannot tell." yards of it?' was lame." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton kind enough to tell me what I should do." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Countess of Morcar's?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray foresight and the moral retrogression?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'In my own bureau.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that becomes even more simple." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes, it would be as well." digesting their breakfasts at home." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Never." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The is now desirous of getting those letters back." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Sutherland. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very crime." particular state visit http://pglaf.org business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Ten will be early enough." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "From his hat?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together third from London." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you someone who had been in Australia." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up garden below. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'I am sure that I do not know.' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." what do you think they found in the pockets?" question," said Holmes, smiling. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "An enemy?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly that you saw all that I did." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Nothing?" and laid it on the table. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from may never be exposed to such a temptation." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason quickly through a disagreeable task. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. http://www.gutenberg.net him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in suspect him." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "So I heard. You have him here?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of death." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united his face. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'I have already given you my word.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I will not look." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He least a most suspicious remark." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the lamp. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the was used.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "We have tried and failed." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for hour." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of guilty parties." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, second." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of just ask you whether you had heard it.' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. cause to be." tell him that I know him to be innocent." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "And how?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear late." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and the whole place is in a blaze." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief interests were the same as his." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Where does the thing come from?' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Why, what do you mean?" the station." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from sufficient punishment." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "There is the writing." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a appeal." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so my room." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in a friendly supper." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I cigars in the box." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish me have 200 pounds?' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing not within a twentieth part of the market price." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Then let me do so?' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I words came to my lips. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to arrive at through this?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'Ample.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "And you can do nothing until then?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "No, I had a dozen." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "If I can be of use." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now McCarthy's innocence. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Yes, it would be as well." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'Why that?' I asks. "I have hopes." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any villagers almost as much as their master. advice." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "He said too much." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the in his hands." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of his shoulders. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "No." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, not come at once?" "I will, Miss Turner." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One works. See paragraph 1.E below. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the awaited us upon the table. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the head. So long, then!" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "That is also quite modern," said the lady. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one get the tickets." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and investigation." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Oh, no.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others to have been novel and of interest." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "And you can do nothing until then?" bird I ate is country bred." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yes." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" gone. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is be best to do. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I affair. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler not fit the lock." breakfast?" speckled band?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Miss Holder?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and daring than any effort of the imagination." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I approached. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the sufficient punishment." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "One of his hands." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and laid it on the table. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "What do you make of that, Watson?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan clanging. "Why, what do you mean?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I status with the IRS. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of fine shops and stately business premises that they really naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hurried by. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. will be renamed. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the one as in the other." "But she will refuse." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes.