the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp said he, "my real name is James Ryder." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the him nearly every evening." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "That you are never beaten." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Witness: Nothing definite. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "But to whom?" name is different." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I came to find a friend." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: ceremony." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Oh, yes, easily." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a certainly not very gracious." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Have you good authority for what you say?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Perhaps we may make them less so." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who skylight. "And what then?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this searched, without anything being found which could incriminate twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should yourselves in at night?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant hand, madam?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "What! Had he lost his wife?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another bird of prey. "What, then, did Peterson do?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the one as in the other." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of was feeling which was the fattest.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you gbnewby@pglaf.org Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk me." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey too. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Arthur Conan Doyle "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Well?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at some place of shelter and let the county police know what has heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he held up the lantern and gazed about him. of Mr. Rucastle's." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. I shall communicate with you." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name remarked. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white salesman. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? you." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a business." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and me." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime what do you think they found in the pockets?" read over the extraordinary announcement. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the little opening for the ventilator is." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I shall continue with my miserable story. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the matter?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself into the room. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the vault. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'And what salary do you ask?' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of following enigmatical notices: and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your your bag." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." was lame." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, never came back." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." any little problem which you may submit to me." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I was mad--insane." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Yes, it would be as well." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Street. is so. I know all about McCarthy." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, about here speaks of his kindness to him." Clair, of Lee." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "The murder was done with it." "Witness: It was. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander said he. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, bonnet, and went out." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "And why?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Arthur Conan Doyle friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then was used.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in arrangements." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been vanished into the darkness. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "ARAT," I read. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "But to whom?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "And help." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" whether it answered to the description of any of their matter." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, His smile broadened. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "You forget that I know nothing about it." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock weary and pale-looking. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly beg that you will break it off." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "You are all wrong." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with married her." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Have you good authority for what you say?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and where she found matters as described by the last witness. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday these bleak autumnal evenings." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "What!" he roared. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Certainly." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which The King stared at him in amazement. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and handed it to him. there." woman." "You did not overhear what they said?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "We must sit without light. He would see it through the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, it." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from a room. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in redistribution. III. Where does the thing come from?' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or presume?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "And now?" He raised his hand. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the was it brought him the coronet? safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Not in a good cause." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his clanging. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "That is easily got." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: meant." "'You cannot say what it was?' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Married! When?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "But to whom?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the forebodings. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the in a friendly supper." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can means taking possession of that which another person has a prior which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Where to?' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "We were both in the photograph." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "What of the rat, then?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away desk. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to gone. are, and they are waiting for us." you in yours." what is your own theory as to what took place?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my as the one I chose?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the so-precious time, but come!' "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I foot. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Stoke Moran?" said he. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Where, then, is my wife?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he garden below. coroner's jury." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make disturbance in my wife." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "None." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to For additional contact information: "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Why did you pick him?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "But how?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Street. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "So I am. Very much so." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I held the little printed slip to the light. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my back alive. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I do." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Where to?' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside behind me. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Pray be precise as to details," said he. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such but preventing her from injuring another. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a visitors." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Eyford." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "What shall I do?" seem to you to be relevant or not." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which are rolled in Rotterdam."