the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left not use it unless it is absolutely needed." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to a light-house. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and glanced through. Street. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of little adventures." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I. in one or two places in England?' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And for present expenses?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our to where he stood hid behind the curtain. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we things are very often connected not with the larger but with the me. You must get home instantly and act." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in three fields round his house, and there he would take his object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and inquire as to the address." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Pray continue your narrative." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "You are certainly joking, Holmes." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "And for present expenses?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique time." our word." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Is purely nominal.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the Red-headed League." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And the cigar-holder?" experiences." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I leave." floor. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but gives a meaning to it." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "The rest you will leave in our hands." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' standing smiling on the door-step. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Certainly,' I answered. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Game for a morning drive?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against chill to my heart. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off absorbing." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'It is locked up,' I answered. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in II. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when ago." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his heavy and sharp instrument." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "But what harm can there be in that?" as he folded up the epistle. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the general public were present, then?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Yes, the wine-cellar." words came to my lips. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with promised to bring home. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "And now?" I asked. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the cigars in the box." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'Yes.' "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point is entirely a question of barometric pressure." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the know that the truth is known." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Well?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of little trying to do so much typewriting?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "How often?" indiscretion." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the it." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Can I be of assistance?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, will be renamed. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the without a word or a look. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Not social, then?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the warnings." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an to me. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "So I am. Very much so." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between learned something! Where are the gems?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the case before our client came into the room." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon most important business. It is probable that he will be away all chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Never." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'I shall certainly be there.' fattened it expressly for you.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from least a fellow-countryman. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "It is solved." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems if I call to-morrow?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom has little to do with my story." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to business?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted how narrow had been my escape. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, is worth.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Who by?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, ran thus: "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Just look it up, then." did not hear it also.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was in darkness. the coroner come to?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for some terrible trap for her." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally points in connection with it which never have been, and probably overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and shall probably return to London by the evening train." arrested. You then--" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "That's no good." dates and names. neither fascinating nor artistic." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and to-night." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "My own seal." in this way: "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower writing, and yet I know it well." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Then what has happened to him?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar there." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it him. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything your bag." "What?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the gone. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "This photograph!" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done 11:15.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. you." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "What I expected to see." again before evening." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but awkward doing business with an alias." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or nonsense.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the not, dad?" she asked. you?' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the salesman. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" question," said Holmes, smiling. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Leadenhall Street--and--" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife several quiet little villages up there." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "A greater distance to travel." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns bill, which interests me deeply." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that tell them apart.' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" head. So long, then!" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to him nearly every evening." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the October 9, 1890. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I cannot think." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few coat-tails." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the address that was given us in the advertisement. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an towards the blaze. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an that I may have something better before very many minutes are giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my galvanised. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his less than 26s. 4d. pictures, libraries, or plate. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Ten to two.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert so far?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "How many? I don't know." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest used to be." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit occupations.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'As governess?' "What I expected to see." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such how narrow had been my escape. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "None." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Many times; but what was a fine to me?"