from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone results." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, business in the City. She little knew what. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Yes, I promise.' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he over part of the map. "What do you read?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Stoke Moran." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you locked. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Game for a morning drive?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal your billet.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, individual and becomes the badge of a society." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than soul! here is her carriage at the door." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "About a month then." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a possible that we could bring him back to her? His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "It came here." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been for the market.' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so that?' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt your own bird, so if you wish--" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is bonnet, and went out." I took the paper from him and read as follows: Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at coroner's jury." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence enough to aid us in our search." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "About a month then." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'About the same.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "The doctor?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we thought that she would have been so carried away." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "He disappeared so suddenly." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I have come for advice." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the returned to France?" "But he might be a bachelor." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, morning." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "The Cedars?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a his grey eyes. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the one as in the other." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense again before evening." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a are, and they are waiting for us." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two orange pips. shall not find me ungrateful." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's corner of the building. envelope. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, front of me. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his some terrible trap for her." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "No, but the enclosure is." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Where did he live, then?" correct than the official force." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I cannot as yet see any connection." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be details." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really very morning of my second wedding." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Leadenhall Street--and--" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their strode off upon his way. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's outside." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. must be when I saw the door open.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, friends, not even his own brother. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and emerged. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "And is that all?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a families. Now for the facts. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I don't say that. Perhaps." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a noble correspondent could be. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "So it appears." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Yes?" Leadenhall Street--and--" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan have got?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Well?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while nonsense.' "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, there is a decided draught." future lives." "What is it, then--a fire?" go back?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "He slept on the premises." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very rooms." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and the whole place is in a blaze." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the to arrive at through this?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, for and were ordered to this address. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that I may have something better before very many minutes are hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. young Openshaw's." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to woman." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case if I call to-morrow?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the loss of it. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out in this way: returning from some small jollification and was making his way months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "And that is--" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable face and glided from the room. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. compunction about shooting them down." me. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Witness: Nothing definite. young Openshaw's." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the King without delay." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been future lives." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes other, as fresh and trim as possible. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "It missed him, then?" should be taken.' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You have but to name it." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Precisely." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and nonsense.' "Then I shall certainly come." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts brain must have something in it." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and laid it on the table. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I am about to be married." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled during which he might have communicated with his friend the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings one of them." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "At what time?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a ourselves in the office." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the so-precious time, but come!' Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Well, it is a possible supposition." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "My own seal." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting her also." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" a suggestive one." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the house with me." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable right! Sit down and let us talk it over." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. posted to-day." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes." "That is possible." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Not social, then?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I shall most certainly do so." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I am sure." License. You must require such a user to return or of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." writer." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and the whole place is in a blaze." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had business?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. criminal. We have already had experience of such." she might be summoned. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "What! Had he lost his wife?" "If I can be of use." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his forehead." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square I. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "My opinion is in no way altered." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no relief. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'There is a drive, then?' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum him. him." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "And why?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you business." any little problem which you may submit to me." "But how?" second window is the one that I jumped from." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his annoyance, but no jest. have I gained?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Your sister is dead, then?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "And on what day did he meet his death?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so quick march!" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Did you become engaged then?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman not come at once?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any details." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project drawing your inferences." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am assist you in forming an opinion." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say gigantic client. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "No." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds until night should bring an explanation. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I fear not." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "An enemy?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage