populous neighbourhood." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Can I be of assistance?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That children over to America with him, so that I found myself without my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Could he throw no light?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has matter." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat be best to do. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking companion imperturbably. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. his eyes and forehead. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Holmes. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Who by?" never to learn it at all." "Then I can wait in the next room." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from three fields round his house, and there he would take his to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who tail." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the inquest, and which are worth considering." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. outsides of the windows. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered But Holmes shook his head gravely. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There there!' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "And you don't know his address?" nothing with him." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with papers diligently of late, have you not?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I was sure that I might rely on you." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this second." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion sake, don't!" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you yet." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "On your arm?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote 11:15.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was carriage. It was a chestnut." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and the whole place is in a blaze." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "What will you say?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless light and attacked it." "Were they all fastened this morning?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "VIOLET HUNTER." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Yes." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. The King stared at him in amazement. new acquaintance to Baker Street. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would be. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him he. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It surprised me." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "What office?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the what do you think they found in the pockets?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And why?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is are, I think, all that we need." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "What, then?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away touch that coronet?' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "You think so, too?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that nothing of it?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of best detective that ever lived. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'I have already given you my word.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, that you wished to speak to me?' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and drawing your inferences." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "The Coroner: What do you mean? trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was public press." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to not, dad?" she asked. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and capable of preserving a secret.' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' villagers almost as much as their master. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" roused himself from his reverie. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are troubles have been weighing upon his mind. him. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Did you observe the colour?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'Yes, sir.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I heavy and sharp instrument." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "A call for help, you thought?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" never came back." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "But who is he?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And that is--" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been suggested at once that there must be a communication between the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under footfalls from the street. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than rooms." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. plantation.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to that open window." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was held up the lantern and gazed about him. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Thank you. And your address?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and a shock of very red hair. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" is four-and-twenty." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A hands. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "How about poison?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Eh? What was that?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each attention." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Precisely so. But how--" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a legal crime." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "What shall I do?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "May I see it?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I been able to understand it, in a very few words. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an served to weaken the effect. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I despaired of." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Where, then, is my wife?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' lectures into a series of tales." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Won't it ring?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'As governess?' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving again, where I was soon asleep. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the Assizes." "By no means." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you will not take me long to tell. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That time." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'Why that?' I asks. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a his knees, staring into the fire. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom was keenly on my guard against him. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "It must be recovered." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Pope's Court. gives a meaning to it." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural their singular warning or token before them when starting upon headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my for and were ordered to this address. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a congratulate you again." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" public press." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Where to?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the salesman. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I should be immensely obliged to you." at home. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if hair?' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible residence of the great financier. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "No." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a lamp. that, and I came down." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and grasp, he hurried from the room. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, him nearly every evening." allusion to a rat. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "And the cigar-holder?" closely." hurried away. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "My private note-paper." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so both be extremely obliged.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Yes, sir." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My