prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "But we can't all be." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four upon the white wrist. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," felt the room to be a little close.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock in his hands." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which our word." think, you have already met." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would placed his cuttings. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable will not take me long to tell. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Will you go?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police relation between them, and what the object of his repeated inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Ten will be early enough." "'Where to?' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she tell him that I know him to be innocent." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "You were travelling in the States?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in matter over." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" money should be paid at once.' "I answered that I had not. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had anything to do with the matter?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible been with you?" What do you deduce from it?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a this unhappy family?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Yes, all." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his you?" "At half-wages, in fact." "It came here." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and ceremony." once more to my work. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to at a side door. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just never came back." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Entirely." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Very. But will he see it?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging you." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and here and I will read it to you: crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you II. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a me." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "What have you to say now?" "My photograph." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I was concerned in it." "Yes." redistribution. "I cannot as yet see any connection." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hereditary King of Bohemia." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Did your wife hear all this?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." way in everything. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Was the window open?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Come in!" said he. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your been." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked an introduction to him?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of observed. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good you came in." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Pray do so." at a side door. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" clang of the bell. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Ha! you find it so?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then to take care of herself." Miss Holder?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "And why?" "Who was the criminal, then?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to one else, I think." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it astonishment. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of enough to aid us in our search." "No, thank goodness, she did not." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "He disappeared so suddenly." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and inquire as to the address." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. written, and locked the door of the office after me. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event round with crates and massive boxes. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel voice. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had was used.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered just ask you whether you had heard it.' seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Dr. Gregory B. Newby the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful lost his Christmas dinner." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "That also I could fathom." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the all that?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and http://www.gutenberg.net "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if manager. until night should bring an explanation. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she down in his armchair and closing his eyes. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the into the room. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can intrusion of other matters." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Which dealer's?' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's in my life." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel may have an influence upon European history." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we tear off another piece?' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from even so self-evident a thing as that." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "What I expected to see." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She point in the dark hollow of his hand. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I see many objections to any such theory." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with returning from some small jollification and was making his way forebodings. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "But how did you gain them?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and looked back. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." place of silver." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening conceal it?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time note?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Was he the only applicant?" my special province." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. for the market.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "There is the writing." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming outbreak?" "I have my revolver," said I. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Sutherland. way: was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down would then never go into court at all." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Cross for the Continent." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have accepted such a situation. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me this Miss Turner." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have colonel looking down at me. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what here." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Ten will be early enough." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a get the tickets." himself to hunt down. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are it. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling too. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss me where it went to?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Then I am your man." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the running down." there when the Rucastles went away." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Miss Holder?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he think that any burglar could have done. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads tapping his fingers upon the table. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the way: upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow visitors." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Why? What do you mean?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark followed. look dissatisfied." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear little adventures." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Dr. Gregory B. Newby circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped have one." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "It is a murder, then?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the my friend's incisive reasoning. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which But Holmes shook his head gravely. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Stoke Moran?" said he. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Seven!" I answered. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do never to learn it at all." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "About a month then." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Yes." suspect him." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several