and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Munro.' "Yes." salesman. "What?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and than was visible to me." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "The King of Scandinavia." gigantic client. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the date of his supposed suicide." affair. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in you for a few hours?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Yes, certainly." strength of mind to control. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my nights." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Never to return." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, laugh and put his lips to my ear. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my seem to you to be relevant or not." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I said he at last. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots photograph?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door it were putty." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but be sorry for having acted so harshly." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Where, indeed?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, weary and pale-looking. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I should be immensely obliged to you." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are you." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Yes." "What office?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments but preventing her from injuring another. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Not in the least." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Pray continue your narrative." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot gone before you can get him to hospital." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I am following you closely," I answered. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the stones. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many about. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the tension within him. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were window when the police appeared." as yours." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had did not hear it also.' how narrow had been my escape. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Yes." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He electronic works hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it III. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Whose house is it?" formed some opinion?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and was feeling which was the fattest.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Yes." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "It was an hour's good drive." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." have got?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." your bag." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact gigantic client. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her ashen face. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and me. You must get home instantly and act." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Oh, yes, easily." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "None." "Where, indeed?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" was a perfect sample of the class. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon only touch the interest." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' it were putty." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in his face. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Pool. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the window, rose as we entered. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked II. "ARAT," I read. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I of Fenchurch Street." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from occupations.' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she had picked up in the wood. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that matters immensely." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police locked. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the date of his supposed suicide." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "No, I am descending." careless servant girl?" daring than any effort of the imagination." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "The knees of his trousers." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the feature." way in." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Nearly eleven." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I will do it." throat." depend upon your compliance." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Street. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at guilty parties." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Yes, certainly." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I States. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Entirely." question," said Holmes, smiling. cost them two and thirty pounds." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. to talk it over. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," name is different." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to The King stared at him in amazement. "Then I can wait in the next room." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even anything to do with the matter?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, meant." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that what is your own theory as to what took place?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I will get her to show me." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with our word." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and your relations to her." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "How many? I don't know." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Did you become engaged then?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Absolutely?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. in one or two places in England?' 1.F. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "You think so, too?" "Upon what point?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I will get her to show me." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "At the wedding breakfast." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to-night." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the coronet at all injured?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "And you thought he was pulled back?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "My dear Holmes!" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I am about to be married." dramatic, in fact." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Certainly,' I answered. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one a suggestive one." invisible to me," I remarked. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Never." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and I shall be with you presently." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened she to prove their authenticity?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return lamp in his hand. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "But to whom?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" approach us with offers to donate. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "To an end?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a back into the street. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. against a man in the prime of life?" fishes. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I cannot imagine." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from silent! Oh, he will be silent!' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and laid it on the table. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "The rest you will leave in our hands." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "No, thank goodness, she did not." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that written, and locked the door of the office after me. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and capable of preserving a secret.' "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of his shoulders. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all something of him before." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend crime." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' your room." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that three fields round his house, and there he would take his pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I say it is." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very business in the City. She little knew what. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Yes, that is the Crown." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said him." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that