second window is the one that I jumped from." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "But I am all in the dark." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It is possible." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. outside. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before new duties?' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive I am not easy in my mind about them." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I was afraid that you were engaged." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became so far?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At purpose of examination. I was concerned in it." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear nice household for a young lady." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that ventilator." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his fear." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I leave." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, asked. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "A call for help, you thought?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Never." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the young Openshaw's." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, following enigmatical notices: white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon eavesdroppers?' would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to more solid." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. writers could invent nothing more crude." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" than to us. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." she might be summoned. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to himself to hunt down. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "But we can't all be." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did affection." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed desk. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he some city in a dream. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the without a word or a look. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "But of what society?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have goes." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I where we are going." them, and came down just as you departed. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I and the whole place is in a blaze." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." danger is over." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up impression behind it as though a window had gently closed could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Where does the thing come from?' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven himself. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable prepare for the new role I have to play." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how outbreak?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had wedding?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He at once, for I have only half an hour." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return events than those which have happened in my own family." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went see me here to avoid scandal." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "And why in hopes?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the http://gutenberg.net/license). I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a to-night's adventure." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "The doctor?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight possible that we could bring him back to her? see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. enter into my head. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Where, then?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right is," said he presently: individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "The King of Scandinavia." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I have come for advice." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "That's no good." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "No more words. Get out!" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And you don't know his address?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just held up the lantern and gazed about him. was already answered. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in quick march!" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A cigar and let me expound." I shall communicate with you." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed go--none." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Lee, in the county of Kent." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate had this final quarrel? "But how?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not as he folded up the epistle. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that certainly do as you advise." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Why serious?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office But Holmes shook his head gravely. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became whole matter to your consideration." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door recover the gem." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates back into the street. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry himself to tell his story. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven name is different." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "And what then?" For additional contact information: "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture information in his hands the value of which he did not himself hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine stepfather?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "It is very clear." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And the murderer?" "No." what is your own theory as to what took place?" said he. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot nice household for a young lady." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question my room." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "How did you deduce the select?" public press." him to go away.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest to change my dress. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "But what is it you wish?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and mystery!" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the it." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Mary, has deserted me." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. least a fellow-countryman. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the Assizes." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Bought." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by hands. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all noble correspondent could be. minor matters until to-morrow." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her child?' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." ready to-morrow?' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." companion. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed away into the river." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able face and glided from the room. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which begun to whiten, even as mine has." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very highroad, where all traces were lost. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the so-precious time, but come!' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Then I can wait in the next room." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he room?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." she might be summoned. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Never." despaired of." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had I took the paper from him and read as follows: a good hundred miles off by now." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of deduce something from that?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a name is different." "You know me, then?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would washing it down with a long draught of water. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my prison!" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the one as in the other." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Yes." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I a good hundred miles off by now." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker money should be paid at once.' who was a member of your goose club." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, yet." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I annoyance, but no jest. "By train from Waterloo." neither fascinating nor artistic." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Two days later this same performance was gone through under lumber-room." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of campaign. this as likely?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I cannot imagine." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to entirely devoid of interest." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and glanced through. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'I have heard so.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no gone before you can get him to hospital." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" one of them." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "But your client--" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." colour had been driven from his face. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" prisoner's face. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their such attractions and accomplishments?' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I see no marks." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Nothing?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I was sure that I might rely on you." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists DAMAGE. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most writers could invent nothing more crude." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "But it has twice been burgled."