To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would girl said." at home. "Not him." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'Never.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "No, I think that I'll take it." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "How did that help you?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE photograph a cabinet?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which danger is over." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. most interesting one." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they searched, without anything being found which could incriminate of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands late!' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the mysterious end." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have plantation.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" all that?" of the one which your family is now devouring." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about noble correspondent could be. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" a room. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three tail." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project be best to do. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "You will not go there first?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid footfalls from the street. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "In what way?" asked Holmes. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and father's place of business?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more window when the police appeared." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." side. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most fire. You quite follow me?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to goes." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Well?" "VIOLET HUNTER." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What may have an influence upon European history." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Then how many are there?" "It was." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "What I expected to see." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges little adventures." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong any." eat it." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until murdered man." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door not as remarkable as your advertisement." call you and give you the chance." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Yes.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. directors, with the result that you have seen." 1.F. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal do.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "The best possible." like gravel from a pit.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told unprofitable." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "No." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One time." appeal." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De friend's singular character. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have helping a boy to put up the shutters. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Holmes' thin, eager face. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Her father is very rich?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like gentleman's clothes. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My better grown goose." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "To the police?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you The events in question occurred in the early days of my The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. posted to-day." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I know where it is." in darkness. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in affair. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'In my own bureau.' "And the cigar-holder?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge should be so warm over such a trifle." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I have solved it." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the of your young ladies.' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in go back?" "I cannot imagine." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "VIOLET HUNTER." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It is no ordinary one." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," you in yours." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "What do you mean?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'And the work?' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must useful material for showing traces. The double line a little up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "That is unusual in a young girl." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the within hail.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I was afraid that you were engaged." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide depend upon my doing so.' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder have one." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a photograph?" been deceived." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See weapon." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while again." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast fishes. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Yes." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "And leave your case unfinished?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Where to?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the easy-going way." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 at a side door. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every in your London, you will know that the office of the company is grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No seven miles from Eyford Station.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "What! a murderous attack?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, people don't know." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus tear off another piece?' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Holmes' thin, eager face. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend girl said." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "No more words. Get out!" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for bare slabs of marble. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "How did he come?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "And how?" only touch the interest." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was in the dead of the night?' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It was an hour's good drive." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "In San Francisco, a year ago." "That is unusual in a young girl." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the coronet in his hands?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the cause to be." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Then, how do you know?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which our visitor detailed to us. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "A call for help, you thought?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; guilty parties." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain States. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the Red-headed League." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Does that suggest anything?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and have this put in the evening papers." away into the river." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact believe that I should never have any practice at all. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "But what will you do?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me dates and names. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I there." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "But you would not advise me to refuse?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Married! When?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and distinguish the words: say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from depend upon your compliance." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. humiliation." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as and all of them with the keenest interest. have not had my rubber." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an October 9, 1890. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an it? Did I buy the geese off you?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'How far from the body?' therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'Yes.'