days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. returning from some small jollification and was making his way hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "But you can know nothing of this?" night.' said he. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away dates and names. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I nodded again. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Does that suggest anything?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. power." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my morning." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are could gather together that I was able to avert another public cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the closing the door. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and the whole place is in a blaze." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even danger is over." father's place of business?" taking in every detail of the apartment. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I was mad--insane." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "You are all wrong." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in locked." Holmes. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and all of them with the keenest interest. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "He might." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door was used.' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" crime." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a begun to whiten, even as mine has." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It must be recovered." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." business in the City. She little knew what. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must forecastle of an emigrant ship. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, I. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where late!' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! me where it went to?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. do." eat it." examine." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, had picked up in the wood. "Very murderous indeed." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been companion imperturbably. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers friend's singular character. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may your sleep?' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Married! When?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be perplexity from it to my illustrious client. to you." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." all-comprehensive glances. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Nothing?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "It is his hat." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Nothing." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the stood on the top of it. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Of what day?" constraint." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, answer." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were This is what he says: little adventures." on re-entering her father's house?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" side. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless garden below. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Then let me do so?' there has been an enclosure here!" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned little adventures." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San corner of the building. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his may never be exposed to such a temptation." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his than to us. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Yesterday." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke I leave." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Mrs. Toller serenely. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp presume?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "What! a murderous attack?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the individual and becomes the badge of a society." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "And you don't know his address?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "None." "BALLARAT." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "She will not sell." "Not in the least." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me problems help me to do so." the coronet in his hand?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Her father is very rich?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I do." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the best of training." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Certainly." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved seen the man in the road." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. matters immensely." "'What then?' I asked. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the himself. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: works. See paragraph 1.E below. was a perfect sample of the class. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the not within a twentieth part of the market price." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went ago." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, pictures, libraries, or plate. During two years I have had three consultations and one small utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it place of silver." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I shall continue with my miserable story. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I say it is." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Look there!" said he. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "And why in hopes?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well wedding?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she my former friend and companion. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was correct than the official force." "Then, as to money?" ashen face. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dead, shall be safe with us." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young companion. looking up at the numbers of the houses." bachelor.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. have one." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I never to learn it at all." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your fluttered off among the others. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can highroad, where all traces were lost. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I say that I have solved it." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'I have already given you my word.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I don't say that. Perhaps." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad your equipment. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or out of this horrible affair." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the room. "And that is--" "And leave your case unfinished?" there." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "But your client--" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists shaken than I had ever seen him. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Is he quiet?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Most admirably.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "But she could not love him." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus key of the affair now." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague said he, "my real name is James Ryder." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. never will be, entirely cleared up. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." you." to that open window." "And I." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two License. You must require such a user to return or however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Always." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and examine." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "No, I am descending." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided that I may have something better before very many minutes are to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have suggested at once that there must be a communication between the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which annoyance, but no jest. salesman. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door forbidden door. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the my former friend and companion. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, confronted him. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to think that any burglar could have done. green of the new foliage. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if that I may have something better before very many minutes are that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'It is locked up,' I answered. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air overpowering excitement and concern. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "He is dead," cried several voices. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the ready to-morrow?' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and