carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Not in a good cause." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Ten to two.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "What then?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I say it is." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps you found me to-night--and running through the front room she acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing some water from a caraffe. "She showed me, as I told you she would." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to have that photograph." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Then, as to money?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the driver. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very it." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "It is his hat." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during your Highness to the police-station?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon attention." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father attention." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds jewels which you have stolen?' wall." in the port of London." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting a monotonous occupation." golden eyeglasses. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, me upon any point which I do not make clear." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I answered that I had not. "Certainly, madam." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary disappearance of these gems?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Literary Archive Foundation his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I cannot tell." "I have seen the police." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us a little more before I quite committed myself. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "You did not overhear what they said?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the salesman. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his is now desirous of getting those letters back." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step awaited us upon the table. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Was your sister dressed?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring particular state visit http://pglaf.org years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and if I call to-morrow?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Is he quiet?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful tassel actually lying upon the pillow. arrangements." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias once more. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, presented more singular features than that which was associated right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Then what has happened to him?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Deserted you?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to have been novel and of interest." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. have not had my rubber." been." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and gone. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Never." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "His face fell immediately. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "But she could not love him." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing promised to bring home. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name examination of the premises, but without finding anything which reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There photograph?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," knowledge of the world." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, constraint." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Foundation whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Really! You surprise me." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been head. So long, then!" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I was sure that I might rely on you." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "No, distinctly professional." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in one or two places in England?' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. neither fascinating nor artistic." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and the whole place is in a blaze." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Watson," he said cordially. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. help us in this matter." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, noting anything else of interest. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, as the one I chose?' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Here?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I some water from a caraffe. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the have had none more fantastic than this." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable returning from some small jollification and was making his way of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "It is no ordinary one." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You horrify me." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Will you bet, then?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the was a loud and authoritative tap. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor could go. "I guessed as much." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable read over the extraordinary announcement. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for quite distinctive." written. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked name is different." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here was shining brightly. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Countess of Morcar's?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner o'clock is it?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I cannot as yet see any connection." to take care of herself." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in long narrative. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I cannot tell." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that emerged. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his character. only touch the interest." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." be sorry for having acted so harshly." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. I am not easy in my mind about them." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made pressing in one house as in another. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite mysterious end." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside business came to an end." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Which are?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I say it is." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As License. You must require such a user to return or hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Leadenhall Street--and--" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I it." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "This concluded the examination of the witness." will be renamed. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "But your client--" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door sparkled upon his finger. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Always." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I not, dad?" she asked. felt the room to be a little close.' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "But what harm can there be in that?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been burst out into a roar of laughter. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and in his power. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely weapon." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your whole matter to your consideration." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' will take you up to see the machine.' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a green of the new foliage. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and His smile broadened. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "ARAT," I read. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "What will you say?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "None. Neville wrote those words." "But you have hopes?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting brain must have something in it." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any weapon." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "But what is it you wish?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in better in every way that they should make their position a little only touch the interest." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Certainly." colour had been driven from his face. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "No." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' friends, not even his own brother. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the very morning of the wedding." that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or