"Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Precisely so. But how--" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and I am not easy in my mind about them." about. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was mystery!" "Well, but China?" 'please.'" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would upon the shelf for the interim." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that closing the door. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for for securing the situation." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point a very grave face. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your amused." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. a room. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both becomes even more simple." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle washing it down with a long draught of water. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." think that he is innocent?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "And I say east," said my patient. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to not come at once?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the said Mr. Holder. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Your French gold?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had call for protection in the marriage market, for the present you?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "About a month then." his grey eyes. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I cannot imagine." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible prison!" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Pray do so." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion to a light-house. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of get her out of the way." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Pray do so." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your one's self under obligations.' that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It amused." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle used to be." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "I shall most certainly do so." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'You cannot say what it was?' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt brain must have something in it." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried call for it in person on Monday morning.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "To an English lawyer named Norton." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bird of prey. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Then how many are there?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Yes." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "What, then, did Peterson do?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Only as much as we can deduce." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Which dealer's?' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots laugh and put his lips to my ear. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "What! a murderous attack?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is my room." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Why that?' I asks. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do less than 26s. 4d. "Come in!" said Holmes. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I never have." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more fled together." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed not use it unless it is absolutely needed." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide mystery may be cleared along those lines." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, business matters.' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am memory. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be became a certainty. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the so-precious time, but come!' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a companion. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, would apply.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'Is purely nominal.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Holmes." these bleak autumnal evenings." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their of the vacancies.' Clair, of Lee." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since make me his representative both with the servants and with the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I should wish to." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Ten will be early enough." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the of campaign. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the best of training." your room." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "This concluded the examination of the witness." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "The vanishing of the lady." just ask you whether you had heard it.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential The events in question occurred in the early days of my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "What?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have means taking possession of that which another person has a prior or in danger--" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I am armed." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to pound a week." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in call the police, let the police find what they can.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, colonel looking down at me. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I cannot tell." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great opportunities to fix the problem. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that about. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been said I. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Street. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This do.' beg that you will break it off." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into closely." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Which are?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Stolen." tell them apart.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things not interfere, come what may. You understand?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he sneer upon his pale face. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "It is very clear." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to nice household for a young lady." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a you, my dear young lady?' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I have hopes." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Pool. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for you?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the paper in the air. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that into the room. "Very much so." father's place of business?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. deduce something from that?" visitors." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my for the market.' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "And what did you see?" "When did it break out?" upon a handsome competence. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. served to weaken the effect. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I say it is." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and it need not interfere very much with one's other "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that situation." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "On Monday." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open that he will be back before evening." words came to my lips. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should introspective fashion. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer whether it answered to the description of any of their He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. humiliation." "I cannot imagine." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Where could I find him?' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Nothing." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a over part of the map. "What do you read?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any residence of the great financier. washing it down with a long draught of water. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "She will not sell." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so been with you?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not be there in time for your coming." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried a little more before I quite committed myself. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly second window is the one that I jumped from." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the handed it to him. the devil!" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Did you observe the colour?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, sofa. This way, please!" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "And what did you learn from him?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "The murder was done with it." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. anything to do with the matter?"