"You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before to a light-house. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly it." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "If I can be of use." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'I shall certainly be there.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know frequently gained my first real insight into the character of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, happened." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Then how many are there?" "His face fell immediately. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had what I may call a really hard day's work." not within a twentieth part of the market price." you." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you relation between them, and what the object of his repeated we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Can I be of assistance?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about more terrible than the truth. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "He is still with you, I presume?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Surrey." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "But your client--" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I get the tickets." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I have my revolver," said I. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, weapon." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that been deceived." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Were they all fastened this morning?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to main points of my analysis." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the mysterious business." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a once more for Briony Lodge. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured upon the sideboard." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that problems help me to do so." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a my secret was safe in his possession. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, again." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this she used." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am mysterious business." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen even so self-evident a thing as that." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the becomes even more simple." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the until night should bring an explanation. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, John Swain, of St. Augustine. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Is he quiet?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been will take you up to see the machine.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods legal crime." License. You must require such a user to return or rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now a very grave face. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people chance." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'A dozen yards or so.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. brandy and water within his reach. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." six. Come in!" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'Yes, sir.' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Watson," he said cordially. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "But she could not love him." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum straighten it?" me." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were have an American origin." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said thin legs towards the fire. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the that he has suffered." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Nothing." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was them, and came down just as you departed. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. like gravel from a pit.' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert putting in the horse. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let get the tickets." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "No. What a strange idea!" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Pope's Court. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at would then never go into court at all." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I am in hopes that she does." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the II. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a she might be summoned. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon in your London, you will know that the office of the company is has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "You think so, too?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her this as likely?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "It is possible." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his some terrible trap for her." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the inquest, and which are worth considering." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on pressing in one house as in another. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been purpose equally well?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest horse could go." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from kindly on the shoulder. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and chance." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Could he throw no light?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. like that before?" fled together." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of be sorry for having acted so harshly." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and man. I know him from the photograph." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." it." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming works. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we yards of it?' society." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Certainly, madam." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon where we are going." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far during which he might have communicated with his friend the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin intrusion of other matters." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against call it cruel." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Not in the least." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past towards the blaze. "ARAT," I read. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was disappearance of these gems?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he bowed and left the room without another word. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to-night?" I asked. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and I shall be with you presently." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "That is not always so easy." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was guilty one." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'What then?' I asked. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Ten will be early enough." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot exactly what you advise." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "None." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "But we can't all be." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "That also I could fathom." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from him!" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "The knees of his trousers." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with his face which made him a very different person to the round, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British dear old homesteads?" most interesting one." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; on in his house." my little problems." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. come either from the window or the door. My attention was any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have becomes even more simple." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come think you a quite exceptional woman." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was