closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked away in different directions, and I went off to make my own struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to which was all perfectly true. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Never." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case not, dad?" she asked. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the all that?" figure." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted works. "Yes." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I if she died from some sudden fright." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in room had already been engaged for us. "And how did you find out?" less than 26s. 4d. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Does that suggest anything?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "And what did you learn from him?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and my little problems." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Holmes' face clouded over. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "You did not overhear what they said?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine begin with, and I had not got mine yet." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an now. It seems that there had been some informality about their laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads tassel actually lying upon the pillow. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes whether it answered to the description of any of their half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the you in yours." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "You horrify me!" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten introspective fashion. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "But how?" "Witness: I must still refuse. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy hopeless attempt at recovering them." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, call you and give you the chance." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "And you don't know his address?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which there is a decided draught." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I say that I have solved it." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Certainly not.' next day. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the about. "'What do you call purely nominal?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses congenial hunt. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Does that suggest anything?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' it." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are peculiar to him. "You have the photograph?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." empty. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I guessed as much." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An floor. "And you don't know his address?" "And that is--" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Not him." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Again Holmes raved in the air. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, bachelor.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." bears upon the case?" highroad, where all traces were lost. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Very truly yours, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the had died away into the silence from which it rose. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly outsides of the windows. and a shock of very red hair. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said that I am arrested." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It is no ordinary one." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" is now desirous of getting those letters back." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear for the market.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in despaired of." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men his forehead." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what examine." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's do you make of it all?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I see many objections to any such theory." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, second." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not back alive. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have strength." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "But what harm can there be in that?" questionable one." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I say that I have solved it." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a away to you." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid down. "Entirely." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I which we had just quitted. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the fire. You quite follow me?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a skylight. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Perfectly so." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "And why?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "But what is it you wish?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which felt the room to be a little close.' villagers almost as much as their master. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Is he quiet?" "'What then?' I asked. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the warnings." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "How did that help you?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one that threaten you." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a already referred to. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. leave you to your papers for a little." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our as yours." the so-precious time, but come!' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped as he folded up the epistle. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. so.' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from me." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if to affect your life." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." breakfast." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I will try. What is it?" she might be summoned. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Holmes, the busybody!" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him me upon any point which I do not make clear." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I say it is." nothing with him." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "What!" he roared. the window, rose as we entered. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with The police have openly confessed that they can at present make so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I see no marks." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I leave." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous his huge brown hands. my secret was safe in his possession. this Miss Turner." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have giving me time to thank him. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. wedding?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across read it out to me." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have unkempt, staring out at me. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'Entirely.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. http://gutenberg.net/license). myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and as yours." in the port of London." true." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so better grown goose." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "His face fell immediately. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at opened the door, and slipped through. "But to whom?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Literary Archive Foundation When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the side-table." least a most suspicious remark." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at