"Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. than was visible to me." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the written, and locked the door of the office after me. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "But what will you do?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," My friend smiled. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very fishes. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco at my own good fortune. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should place no limit on the sum I may draw." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Holmes' thin, eager face. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of his shoulders. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional absorbing." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Yesterday." the coronet in his hands?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets this as likely?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Well, some hundreds of times." them, and came down just as you departed. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Was she in good spirits?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Why? What do you mean?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high is acting for the best. fled together." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first invisible to me," I remarked. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the people don't know." go from here to the Strand." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features your only hope of safety." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Well?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "My Mary? Impossible!" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while lost his Christmas dinner." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I have hopes." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. conduct the inquiry." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about here." Surrey." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia tell me that you intended to go into harness." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he gone before you can get him to hospital." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "No. What a strange idea!" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came *** START: FULL LICENSE *** endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "So I have heard." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as ordinary clothes on?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and wait." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that begin with, and I had not got mine yet." records." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried here and I will read it to you: was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "You forget that I know nothing about it." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was remarked. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and all of them with the keenest interest. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Of what day?" "Then the page we have seen--" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "But your client--" "About a month then." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "No, I had a dozen." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what ventilator." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Yes, sir.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which someone who had been in Australia." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor recall any case within my experience which looked at the first natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Well, but China?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the acquaintance?" sound at heart." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the all?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "A client, then?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the gone before you can get him to hospital." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Thank you. Pray proceed." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You saw the ventilator, too?" note?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were business matters.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from advice." strength in the others." true." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "To an English lawyer named Norton." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. fluttered off among the others. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' assist you in forming an opinion." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself hardly wander." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's galvanised. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the night.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an interests were the same as his." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it take the flies, but not before." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is sneer upon his pale face. hour?' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of you understand?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I upon an income of about 60 pounds." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of this remarkable episode. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I III. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'Never.' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Mary, has deserted me." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. breakfast?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the ready to-morrow?' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Pray continue your narrative." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon singular points about the case. What did the police think of the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to go into your room and bar your shutters?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend think that he is innocent?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "In San Francisco, a year ago." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To crime." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he highroad, where all traces were lost. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential rat could hardly pass through." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. made his money." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Stolen." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "How can you tell that?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us dear old homesteads?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the armchair which I pushed forward for him. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither any little problem which you may submit to me." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be dramatic, in fact." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "A confidential servant?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of row." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit my special province." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I shall continue with my miserable story. "You have carte blanche." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone which we had just quitted. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a here and I will read it to you: Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Then you may be so with me." call it cruel." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had rat could hardly pass through." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in danger is over." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I say it is." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both companion. the house with me." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his think you a quite exceptional woman." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "It looks newer than the other things?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes, it was twisted." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Well?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be gone. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I to you." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." some terrible trap for her." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I have seen the police." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was