have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Upon what point?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "And Irene Adler?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I least a fellow-countryman. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "What then?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "That is not always so easy." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have these bleak autumnal evenings." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I bearing upon the case." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the be best to do. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Yes, sir.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining suddenly upon us." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are have got?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing is now desirous of getting those letters back." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the child." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little gigantic client. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I best detective that ever lived. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up been." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, obstinate." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'Quite sure, dad.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his lumber-room." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes ways of our fellow-men." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of the vacancies.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "A thing like a cleaver," said he. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "You were travelling in the States?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of I nodded to show that I had heard. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The a good hundred miles off by now." spare." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to tell him that I know him to be innocent." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have himself in a perplexing position. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had correct than the official force." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it or other trace. But how on earth--" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "And why?" IS very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a any little problem which you may submit to me." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which definite end. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the correct than the official force." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "It missed him, then?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your think you a quite exceptional woman." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. carriage. It was a chestnut." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I don't say that. Perhaps." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Yes." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Pray continue your narrative." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second was not a bird to be seen there. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and his grey eyes. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "In heaven's name, what for?" morning." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "You have compromised yourself seriously." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Heh?' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Never.' and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Married! When?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she events than those which have happened in my own family." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Proceed, then." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? into the room. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "But you were on a friendly footing?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means felt?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Yes, sir." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from galvanised. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell thought that she would have been so carried away." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but was keenly on my guard against him. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and your relations to her." "Was she in good spirits?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. instituted." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give charged with?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Yes, I promise.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, to take care of herself." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about once more. this poor creature." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do States. union?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Watson," he said cordially. "That is not always so easy." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Yes, it was twisted." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "BALLARAT." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "'You cannot say what it was?' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Yes." Clair, of Lee." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and glanced through. "None." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I night.' said he. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "And what did you learn from him?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." been able to understand it, in a very few words. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the shoulder; "he's all right." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the roused himself from his reverie. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Not in the least." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Do you go out much in society?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the back alive. quick march!" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'Never,' said I. appeared upon the scene." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that wall." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this intimate personal affairs in this public manner." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I have it here in my museum." "Dirty?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at up this clue while it is still hot." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Well, it is a possible supposition." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." was not a bird to be seen there. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the tragedy. would then never go into court at all." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, evidence," I remarked. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he did not hear it also.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." have had none more fantastic than this." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes obstinate." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which experiences." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't society." "Did your wife hear all this?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' was lame." "At half-wages, in fact." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Tired-looking or fresh?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Was she in good spirits?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass people in all walks of life. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned sit on the left-hand side of the driver." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him true." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the easy-going way." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there families. Now for the facts. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a time." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness them?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Stolen, then." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning which I could not give. He asked for Alice. pound a week." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "It missed him, then?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door His name is Francis Prosper." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." of the way of danger. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend skylight. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such The events in question occurred in the early days of my "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is him!" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she secret." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "My last client of the sort was a king." "I shall most certainly do so." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." page at http://pglaf.org it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." kindly on the shoulder. interest. They are important, you understand, without being foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that started for the Temple to see my husband. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm works. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." papers on the sundial.'" ran thus: "What?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a