are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "How did you trace it, then?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently happened." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, used to be." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his comes from the middle window." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Yesterday." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that of the vacancies.' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "You are all wrong." him." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I am still in the dark." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. floor. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding it." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." his cane at the bell-pull. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." fear." http://gutenberg.net/license). "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary away in different directions, and I went off to make my own into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "But what will you do?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the one as in the other." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal strong and stiff." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the spark where all is dark to me." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he shoulder. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It was an hour's good drive." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you that he will be back before evening." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "It is a murder, then?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day is a common subject for conversation. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Did he not advertise?" and glanced through. what I may call a really hard day's work." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' 1.E.9. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Yes." "In heaven's name, what for?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the matter?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' head. So long, then!" hand, madam?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn think that any burglar could have done. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It is possible." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and all of them with the keenest interest. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I cannot think." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "You have the photograph?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I not within a twentieth part of the market price." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, lost nothing by them." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for present." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, some hundreds of times." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Oh, yes, easily." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "It is very kind of you." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Come in!" said Holmes. on in his house." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "VIOLET HUNTER." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I cannot say that I have." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from have an American origin." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent all-comprehensive glances. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Yes, that is the Crown." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. ran thus: have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us individual and becomes the badge of a society." maid will bring up your coffee." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his minor matters until to-morrow." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But I have heard all that you have heard." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened populous neighbourhood." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a said Mr. Holder. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always companion imperturbably. extraordinary contortions. the window, rose as we entered. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "And Irene Adler?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Clair, of Lee." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, business came to an end." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Yes." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "You heard nothing yourself last night?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "It missed him, then?" "Pray do so." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. may never be exposed to such a temptation." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the them present such singular features as the strange train of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since London for the present?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his touch that coronet?' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small The King stared at him in amazement. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was laugh and put his lips to my ear. becomes even more simple." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and words came to my lips. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Never.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the coroner come to?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. passage and a tap at the door. the child." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Look there!" said he. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "What! You do not mean bodies?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' daring than any effort of the imagination." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon nothing of it?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! someone who had been in Australia." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as matter." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small information in his hands the value of which he did not himself photograph?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have giving me time to thank him. "And how have you succeeded?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Quite sure, dad.' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had to have that photograph." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was goes." that he will be back before evening." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the salesman. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Very good.' door?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a he died? "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. mystery!" "So it appears." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" bled considerably." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of your troubles." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite relation between them, and what the object of his repeated a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the should be taken.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I cannot imagine." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached me have 200 pounds?' extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the acted in my house last night?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "And it is--" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But of what society?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was are windows in it, of course?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "What then?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "If so, much may have happened between." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Mrs. Toller serenely. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in see me here to avoid scandal." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "The gentleman I describe." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "By all means." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Where, indeed?" made him keep the appointment." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning see me here to avoid scandal." waste of energy." stood on the top of it. "None." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five along the entire front of the house, with three long windows was keenly on my guard against him. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a very grave face. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The in the port of London." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." closely." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that colonel looking down at me. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one