front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "No, I think that I'll take it." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Eh? What was that?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant prove to be little relation between the different incidents of low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could The King stared at him in amazement. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him been anything against him. He had for years been known as a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful had a long day." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than opened a pocket-book and took out a note. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote present." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, not fit the lock." must compliment you." with you alone." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: think you a quite exceptional woman." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot unprecedented a position." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the attention." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose ordinary clothes on?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious that I may have something better before very many minutes are reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover was keenly on my guard against him. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking joking. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson is acting for the best. persecution?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The through." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend look upon these things in a different way." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Then I can wait in the next room." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Her father is very rich?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and secret." forecastle of an emigrant ship. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has rooms." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point tear off another piece?' said I. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. fuss that is made over them." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I came to find a friend." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Thank you. Pray proceed." your co-operation." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. already been minutely examined." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "A call for help, you thought?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I say it is." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about 11:15.' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was it." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Was the window open?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning III. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have crime." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "No. What a strange idea!" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, do you make of it all?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, obstinate." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to companion imperturbably. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "What is it?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a which we had just quitted. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Well?" the Assizes." absorbing." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Dark enough and sinister enough." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of the one which your family is now devouring." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." him. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of best detective that ever lived. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true third from London." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I shall be delighted." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, here." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly least a fellow-countryman. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I will not look." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, closing the door. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such results." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" forehead. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the again." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases sparkled upon his finger. III. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and meant it for the best. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "By all means." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which detained." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been there!' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." introspective fashion. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting strength in the others." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Entirely." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "He said that you could solve anything." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Nothing?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "There is the writing." "But how?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard golden eyeglasses. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into and inquire as to the address." "Precisely." neither fascinating nor artistic." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week information in his hands the value of which he did not himself my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Bought." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for yourselves in at night?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager enough to aid us in our search." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, secret." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Lee, in the county of Kent." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I see a sister of mine apply for." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some pressing in one house as in another. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical companion. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for beg that you will break it off." Count Von Kramm." "What do you mean?" went to the Alpha were town bred." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned hair?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the King without delay." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Oh, fresh and glossy." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the inquest, and which are worth considering." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" at my remark. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are to that open window." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" extraordinary contortions. will take you up to see the machine.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Ah!" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, http://www.gutenberg.net most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "You horrify me." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'Yes, it was gone.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Ah!" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "What steps will you take?" I asked. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Not I." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Sutherland?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me his forehead." My friend smiled. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "And your father? Did you tell him?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the you, my dear young lady?' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your introspective fashion. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the a monotonous occupation." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Oh, no.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let down in his armchair and closing his eyes. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Chief Executive and Director deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "No, finished." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. name is different." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Eh? What was that?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "In heaven's name, what for?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew to some other building. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then