covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." train.' danger is over." "I have a cab outside." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Precisely." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Certainly." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking existence." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before not personally threatened." "She told me to ask you." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'Which dealer's?' strong and stiff." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, questionable one." away into the river." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, are windows in it, of course?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And how did you find out?" were wasted." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has will be renamed. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced dead, shall be safe with us." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant father's young wife. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he whatever might befall. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible hardly wander." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Why, what do you mean?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to meant it for the best. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." key turn in the lock." village inn over there?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point never came back." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Was there a secret marriage?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "At the wedding breakfast." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Precisely." McCarthy." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Yes, it was twisted." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled him!" directors, with the result that you have seen." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Perfectly so." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a tension within him. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Pray do so." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "But your client--" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news away into the river." London for the present?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather from you?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the morning and make my own way in the world.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, rat could hardly pass through." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "One?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "None." "Nothing." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the bed, and you in that chair." cause to be." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 arrangements." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Very murderous indeed." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Holmes rather sternly. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the south-west, I see." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was to surprise her." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "And I." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could call the police, let the police find what they can.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "How are you getting on?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in to-night." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they served to weaken the effect. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner dead, shall be safe with us." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic next day. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty which was all perfectly true. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I writing, and yet I know it well." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." bearing upon the case." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Come in!" said he. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "What is it?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that papers must be those that are destroyed.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "And now?" He raised his hand. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having been shamefully used." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Yes, sir.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I do." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which companion imperturbably. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Certainly." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads business?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "That's no good." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle records." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "But he might be a bachelor." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'I am sure that I do not know.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." asked. friends, not even his own brother. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I friends, not even his own brother. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it outside. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the armchair which I pushed forward for him. tell me that you intended to go into harness." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "What! a murderous attack?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking writer." in him." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he tapping his fingers upon the table. "I should wish to." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study which our visitor detailed to us. fashion which was peculiar to him. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I shall most certainly do so." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been kind enough to tell me what I should do." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. when you have done it." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong my special province." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began some place of shelter and let the county police know what has utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry back alive. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers third from London." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and may have an influence upon European history." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the tragedy. make me his representative both with the servants and with the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." tell them apart.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his against a man in the prime of life?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I security.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and files of the old papers, following the future career of every ourselves in the office." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." heavily into it. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the iron safe, which he closed upon it. tension within him. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'I have heard so.' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction man. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "She walked into the breakfast-room." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through correct than the official force." of the way of danger. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that my former friend and companion. http://www.gutenberg.net had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "How did you deduce the select?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "When did it break out?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the ceiling. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard delirious. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "So I am. Very much so." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "And why in hopes?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable narrative." mystery!" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Then I do not see the point." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Your sister is dead, then?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the child." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he my room." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "And that is--" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do know that the truth is known." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary II. chambers. "Yes, at the mines." the date of his supposed suicide." as yours." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a back alive. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly to surprise her." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "That you are never beaten." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Dr. Gregory B. Newby me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Holmes." emerged. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." go from here to the Strand." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "No, I am descending." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and the whole place is in a blaze." "Which are?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there over with notes and figures. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Then I am your man." as he remarks, very much against the son." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and pound a week." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman