weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Yes, from Horsham." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you keep the flames under. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Here?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Very good.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, place of silver." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "And why?" detective. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable later, upon the night of May 2nd." I was concerned in it." not personally threatened." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I think that it is very probable." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the side-table." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'I have already given you my word.' Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I examine." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "My Mary? Impossible!" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the in this way: of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to fire. You quite follow me?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for populous neighbourhood." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have your billet.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' allusion to a rat. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the seem to you to be relevant or not." residence of the great financier. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You were travelling in the States?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to surprise her." "Where, then?" think you a quite exceptional woman." with some details as to your case." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to that open window." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was do." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card gbnewby@pglaf.org "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so tell them apart.' narrative." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I kind enough to tell me what I should do." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those more solid." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid promised to bring home. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of both be extremely obliged.' "'There is a drive, then?' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I have seen the police." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the devil!" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." bonnet, and went out." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "No good news?" "But what harm can there be in that?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you it means?" "Have you her photograph?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "He might." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was this unhappy family?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and of Fenchurch Street." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the armchair which I pushed forward for him. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the prepare for the new role I have to play." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." bird of prey. chair. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the warnings." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. joking. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "You think that he is dead?" For additional contact information: all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to morning." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "What, then, did Peterson do?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Oh, no.' Heh?' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Leadenhall Street--and--" http://gutenberg.net/license). Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his that I may have something better before very many minutes are deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." my secret was safe in his possession. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, our word." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "His face fell immediately. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Then the page we have seen--" unprecedented a position." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I own family. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was yet." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room forbidden door. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew that you can jump it.' even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first here." it were putty." "Very truly yours, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in I was concerned in it." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." at home. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. of." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Have you it here?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of my room." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to-night?" I asked. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by there has been an enclosure here!" beg that you will break it off." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your she slowly sank and died without having recovered her cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very business." "What then?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. business at Coburg Square is serious." standing smiling on the door-step. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was not a bird to be seen there. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Who by?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the tell them apart.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few posted to-day." "Indeed! Whose, then?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and do." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just train.' "Then I do not see the point." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You think so, too?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I shall communicate with you." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son your most interesting statement." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now could go. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'And the work?' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Won't it ring?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Where, then, is my wife?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and highroad, where all traces were lost. the Assizes." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon of the one which your family is now devouring." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort do.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a spark where all is dark to me." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in questionable one." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you understand?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a out of this horrible affair." "Yes." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, drove away. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the face and glided from the room. soul! here is her carriage at the door." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" prepare for the new role I have to play." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to became a certainty. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. gbnewby@pglaf.org fuss that is made over them." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Now, then, what's the last entry?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the compunction about shooting them down." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "By no means." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about which should have the effect of calling the attention of the if I call to-morrow?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'Most admirably.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. heavy and sharp instrument." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Entirely." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little will he say when he returns?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The