I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can charge against him will break down." is," said he presently: had formerly been in part my own. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Yesterday." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly once more. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been past. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. gives a meaning to it." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed matters immensely." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "But how did you gain them?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "My opinion is in no way altered." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. married her." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "But what will you do?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further go back?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all you give your casting vote to?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are maiden herself was most instructive." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I am sure." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed cigar and let me expound." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I was afraid that you were engaged." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I man. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "The gentleman I describe." guilty parties." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And that is--" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be up this clue while it is still hot." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to affect your life." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That she might be summoned. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them points to suicide?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I will, Miss Turner." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and go from here to the Strand." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth go from here to the Strand." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he train.' eavesdroppers?' little adventures." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "And that is--" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Holmes rather sternly. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Yes, he did." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the best of training." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a retorted upon me, and I on you." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Nothing." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the advice." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Where does the thing come from?' off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Very murderous indeed." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to respectable self." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every question," said Holmes, smiling. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." already referred to. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers new duties?' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. thirty. distinguish the words: like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." letters?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the King without delay." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "No, thank goodness, she did not." was a perfect sample of the class. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "But you have hopes?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward he bowed and left the room without another word. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Well?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their in my life." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm thin legs towards the fire. arrested. You then--" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he shag which I had seen upon the previous night. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a nothing with him." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." During two years I have had three consultations and one small I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my burst into a hearty fit of laughter. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a highly," said Holmes. "Murdered?" Stoke Moran." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose be sorry for having acted so harshly." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project affair. of the way of danger. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Really! You surprise me." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "At what time?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in my life." hand, madam?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too vague figure huddled up in the darkness. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, happened." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, spark where all is dark to me." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," heavy and sharp instrument." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could ways of our fellow-men." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I cannot imagine." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Project Gutenberg-tm works. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass sneer upon his pale face. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See nice household for a young lady." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "It may not come to that," said Holmes. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil have I gained?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "How about poison?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'Is purely nominal.' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the lectures into a series of tales." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Why, what do you mean?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the least a fellow-countryman. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a not come at once?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "And it is--" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "In what way?" asked Holmes. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I promise," said Holmes. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Game for a morning drive?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "No." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for asked. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked compunction about shooting them down." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be it were putty." criminal. We have already had experience of such." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come you for a few hours?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. What do you deduce from it?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace business." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the with you?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "One of the highest in England." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of becomes even more simple." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Literary Archive Foundation "I have seen the police." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. time." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every entirely lost his self-respect." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "But I have heard all that you have heard." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." stammered. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be considering the formidable letters which were received by himself form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution think, you have already met." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'Ample.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have to change my dress. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Sutherland. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "By train from Waterloo." already referred to. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been never will be, entirely cleared up. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical plantation.' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Why did you beat the pavement?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Ten to two.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have there." allusion to a rat. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring brought there to personate someone, and the real person is taking in every detail of the apartment. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid weapon." morning." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the would then never go into court at all." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we foot. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Literary Archive Foundation "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Nor running a chance of arrest?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their What do you deduce from it?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring."