of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Entirely." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I shall most certainly do so." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that to you." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when derbies." "And the murderer?" "Yes, I have one waiting." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental discontent upon his features. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no seen the man in the road." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a with frightened eyes at his accuser. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white jewels which you have stolen?' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her business." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "And why?" have got?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "What do you make of that, Watson?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. writers could invent nothing more crude." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third highly," said Holmes. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. had a long day." girl said." window when the police appeared." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free feature." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Pray do so." "Of what?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those results." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "You have it, sir, just as it happened." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Stolen." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser one of them." "I will try. What is it?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Really! You surprise me." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to heavy and sharp instrument." "It is half-past ten now." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, mysterious business." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day you." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, bill, which interests me deeply." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "How on earth--" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something prove to be little relation between the different incidents of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the down. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been disappearance of the bride.'" "And is that all?" "Yes, I have one waiting." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and quickly through a disagreeable task. which was all perfectly true. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "He said too much." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless You can understand that this register and diary may implicate happened." posted to-day." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy ran thus: smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Mary, has deserted me." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and wait." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "But how did you gain them?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought been." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for house for five minutes.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right guilty parties." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge floor. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat London for the present?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's was it brought him the coronet? for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business again, where I was soon asleep. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "No, but the enclosure is." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to his cane at the bell-pull. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the 1.F. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" think you a quite exceptional woman." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Yes." be sorry for having acted so harshly." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in guilty parties." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the so-precious time, but come!' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be silent! Oh, he will be silent!' least a fellow-countryman. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." quick march!" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Of what?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in sofa. This way, please!" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project this Miss Turner." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." most interesting one." Leadenhall Street--and--" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens you." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my been shamefully used." "And why?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this weigh very heavily upon my conscience." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small photograph?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's populous neighbourhood." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in congratulate you again." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'Quite sure, dad.' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and looked back. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the note?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "One of his hands." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little never will be, entirely cleared up. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child you." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far arrangements." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for which it had come upon my father." "An enemy?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." telegram would bring me down to your help." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Do you receive much company?" he asked. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a strong reason behind." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell to tackle the facts." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his crackling voice. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Henry Baker is a member." McCarthy's innocence. "I am still in the dark." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "The landlord of the Alpha." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who be. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very not interfere, come what may. You understand?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did friends, not even his own brother. disappearance of the bride.'" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he enter into my head. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "No, I had a dozen." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "So I have heard." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built out." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Ten to two.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and she might be summoned. "Always." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time husband's writing, madam." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Very much so." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes, the wine-cellar." for securing the situation." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "That is not always so easy." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "The King of Scandinavia." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might was it brought him the coronet? Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and young Openshaw's." undoubtedly my uncle's." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I am armed." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed people in all walks of life. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do whatever might befall. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, people don't know." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then From what you have told me I think that it is possible that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of if she died from some sudden fright." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "What then?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. me. You must get home instantly and act." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few hardly wander." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was ago." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "And your father? Did you tell him?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to entirely lost his self-respect." "But his left-handedness." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of his shoulders. have accepted such a situation. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few