"You know me, then?" go--none." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and it need not interfere very much with one's other following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Stolen!' he cried. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Dr. Gregory B. Newby that I may have something better before very many minutes are her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the himself. Leadenhall Street--and--" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid his eyes and forehead. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, it means?" "By no means." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that God! What an exposure! What can I do?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as had formerly been in part my own. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he round with crates and massive boxes. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "The doctor?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Pope's Court. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the station." "Then I shall certainly come." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious than was visible to me." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "It surprised me." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a straighten it?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before least a most suspicious remark." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every south, for the country is more deserted there." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Holmes' room. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "None. Neville wrote those words." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. mystery." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to that open window." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to from you?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I am still in the dark." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent thought that she would have been so carried away." the King without delay." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Certainly, madam." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "You know me, then?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed observed. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, hands. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I would pay ten." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." know all about it," he snarled. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "What is it, then--a fire?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation seem to you to be relevant or not." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his in one or two places in England?' active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project you came in." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which 11:15.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I should wish to." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took fashion which was peculiar to him. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and guilty parties." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he bed dies. Does not that strike you?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But not more so than I to find you." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and capable of preserving a secret.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to some other building. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You think that he is dead?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Then I can wait in the next room." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the late!' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "A confidential servant?" "An enemy?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in John Swain, of St. Augustine. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the warnings." placed his cuttings. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Yes, it was gone.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical distinguish the words: "Married! When?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "And how?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. said I. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion again." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand affection." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and occupations.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power entirely devoid of interest." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The felt the room to be a little close.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for was already answered. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more conclusions. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk whole matter to your consideration." cigars in their mouths. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' hair?' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if arms and began to sob in a high treble key. States. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. eavesdroppers?' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I have a cab outside." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they families. Now for the facts. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists purpose of examination. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Yes, it was twisted." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, recover the gem." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" annoyance, but no jest. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never himself to hunt down. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and the whole place is in a blaze." "That is possible." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was companion imperturbably. together. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away until night should bring an explanation. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will me. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them straighten it?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Yes, he did." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the new duties?' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Not him." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'Certainly not.' "But the mystery?" "How about poison?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. late!' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "And how?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his to have been novel and of interest." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have even of instruction." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some light and attacked it." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come some terrible trap for her." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I don't say that. Perhaps." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was relation between them, and what the object of his repeated As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and glanced through. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up side. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own foresight and the moral retrogression?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! crime. "Precisely." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come tension within him. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "What!" he roared. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "And who is her maid?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and sake, don't!" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "My dear Holmes!" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did of campaign. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," strong and stiff." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Mrs. Toller serenely. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Here?" "But he might be a bachelor." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress do.' out of this horrible affair." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the very letters. But what is this written above them?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right lamp. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, taking in every detail of the apartment. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and all-comprehensive glances. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with you." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very leaning back in his chair. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a some terrible trap for her." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent October 9, 1890. "I do." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "You have it, sir, just as it happened." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which floor. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "What shall I do?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Oh, the cause is excellent!" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the she might be summoned. "I beg pardon." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "That is it on the dressing-table." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "The vanishing of the lady." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Doctor, of the paper and the date." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of