red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in thin legs towards the fire. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a I nodded again. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs photograph a cabinet?" it." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand fashion which was peculiar to him. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "That is it on the dressing-table." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confronted him. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office less than 26s. 4d. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "But you have hopes?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, villagers almost as much as their master. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "But your client--" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, http://gutenberg.net/license). or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Yes, it was gone.' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those of Mr. Rucastle's." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It is to him that this trophy belongs." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End danger is over." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at a good hundred miles off by now." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & new acquaintance to Baker Street. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up companion quietly. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the child." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary conversation I have gathered that they have been married about rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. power." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes, it was twisted." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Pray be precise as to details," said he. passage and a tap at the door. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "And how have you succeeded?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really some water from a caraffe. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was do you make of it all?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Why, it's a dummy," said he. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. man. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "How about poison?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and notes," he said. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to rat could hardly pass through." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug skylight. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master call it cruel." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue indiscretion." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Was he the only applicant?" "No, my brougham is waiting." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to coroner's jury." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I are, I think, all that we need." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists possible that we could bring him back to her? the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "On Monday." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so carpenter." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at green of the new foliage. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here disappearance of the bride.'" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner key of the affair now." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." back into the street. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and wedding?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "What can you not understand?" knowledge of the world." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the side-table." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Foundation lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little man. I know him from the photograph." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me fat-encircled eyes. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I should like to see him very much." page at http://pglaf.org weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Stoke Moran?" said he. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Ah!" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my be. second window is the one that I jumped from." "The knees of his trousers." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the that you wished to speak to me?' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the Friday. Was it to be in church?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits me upon any point which I do not make clear." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'There is a drive, then?' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Stolen!' he cried. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Street. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I discontent upon his features. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Your presence might be invaluable." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been directors, with the result that you have seen." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the night.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I don't believe it." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "On your arm?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the beg that you will break it off." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we conversation I have gathered that they have been married about watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a your own bird, so if you wish--" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. next day. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Why serious?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. cigar and let me expound." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice trifles." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'Stolen!' he cried. visitors." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the his face which made him a very different person to the round, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Not social, then?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his than was visible to me." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the to you." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but foresight and the moral retrogression?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "To an English lawyer named Norton." definite end. "In which, sir?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Here?" like gravel from a pit.' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I shall be delighted." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim your most interesting statement." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "She walked into the breakfast-room." "By no means." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me must compliment you." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "No." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "No bad?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the emerged. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was criminal. We have already had experience of such." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further clang of the bell. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' have one." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the bottom.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you hour." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and no precautions can guard against." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "And why in hopes?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I knowledge of the world." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I companion. "This photograph!" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Then let me do so?' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is own family. most interesting one." more terrible than the truth. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "In which, sir?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted foresight and the moral retrogression?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that window when the police appeared." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. results." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair