"Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "It was." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered article?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have gigantic client. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "And for present expenses?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No legal papers or certificates?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "May I see it?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery you give your casting vote to?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at all?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now better grown goose." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'What, the red-headed man?' "I will try. What is it?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, correct than the official force." "I came to find a friend." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Chief Executive and Director quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout little trying to do so much typewriting?" "But she will refuse." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee will be renamed. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two should be so warm over such a trifle." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? been." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a beyond words. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. voice, changing her seat as requested. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be bearing upon the case." "Only as much as we can deduce." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have will take you up to see the machine.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "It is very kind of you." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." to have been novel and of interest." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "And when will you call?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "What shall I do?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "To the police?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Precisely." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon occupations.' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and away into the river." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I least a most suspicious remark." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bonnet, and went out." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that not fit the lock." go from here to the Strand." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the armchair which I pushed forward for him. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring other lovers by making love himself." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied always that they were such commands as a lady might with "The doctor?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my is," said he presently: the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "You have compromised yourself seriously." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it at my remark. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." upon an income of about 60 pounds." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the that I am arrested." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was you understand?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and written, and locked the door of the office after me. strong reason behind." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, unkempt, staring out at me. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a question," said Holmes, smiling. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet ran thus: The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are address. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me down from London to inquire more deeply into it." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of Mr. Rucastle's." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere closing the door. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum acted in my house last night?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less bell. Holmes whistled. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." father's place of business?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. it with his own hands." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical noise which awoke you from your sleep?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "We were both in the photograph." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an status with the IRS. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. about here speaks of his kindness to him." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. must compliment you." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "How are you getting on?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to go into your room and bar your shutters?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "And it is--" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I will, Miss Turner." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the warnings." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should as the one I chose?' wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Certainly,' I answered. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case here and I will read it to you: wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may felt the room to be a little close.' allusion to a rat. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and effective." "Where, indeed?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and any more." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. way: copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and was it brought him the coronet? before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am remarked. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he power." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from sparkled upon his finger. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it this as likely?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You were travelling in the States?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and sneer upon his pale face. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day is worth.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, DISSOLVED. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger God! What an exposure! What can I do?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." official police." will not take me long to tell. tell him that I know him to be innocent." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "My last client of the sort was a king." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand test if we have an answer to our advertisement." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This without a word or a look. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "There are none." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us coroner's jury." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I will do it." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Indeed! Whose, then?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "But how?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the so-precious time, but come!' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an what do you think they found in the pockets?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. may have an influence upon European history." colour had been driven from his face. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for so.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was views." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." stood on the top of it. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this here and I will read it to you: considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel ashen face. this poor creature." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to definite end. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Yes." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while obstinate." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed pressing in one house as in another. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. confronted him. "What are they?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so key of the affair now." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." chance at all." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see closing the door. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "No, distinctly professional." face and glided from the room. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. quite distinctive." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the child." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the of Mr. Rucastle's."