now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "No." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of our word." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him more solid." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the works. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But what will you do?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Yes, sir." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate carpenter." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What steps will you take?" I asked. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of will be renamed. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some has little to do with my story." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property enter into my head. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, yourselves in at night?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth with you?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not McCarthy's innocence. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "That is not always so easy." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a with frightened eyes at his accuser. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would direction." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "That also I could fathom." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past ways including including checks, online payments and credit card another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Here?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible over here." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and highly," said Holmes. in. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "But you were on a friendly footing?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little we went to search for him, face downward in a little At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in awaited us upon the table. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed my little problems." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" been able to understand it, in a very few words. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Count Von Kramm." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in up this clue while it is still hot." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban prison!" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." vanished into the darkness. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Miss Holder?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and have this put in the evening papers." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. into the room. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to felt the room to be a little close.' middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so careless servant girl?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I am to be neutral?" "And Miss Sutherland?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Yes." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar works. See paragraph 1.E below. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "You think so, too?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Nor running a chance of arrest?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Precisely." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled she might be summoned. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "And I." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "9th. McCauley cleared. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his served to weaken the effect. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'Quite sure, dad.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his against a man in the prime of life?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to have that photograph." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years prisoner's face. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the date of his supposed suicide." the house with me." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for 11:15.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards garden below. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered he died? farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault he died? of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Holmes' face clouded over. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one joking. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices was shining brightly. lips." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past noble correspondent could be. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was outside." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very despair." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' heavy and sharp instrument." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." village inn over there?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a question. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is if I call to-morrow?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "But you were on a friendly footing?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "And I." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "You horrify me." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' hurried away. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the mystery." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon so far?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Certainly." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "The King of Scandinavia." important." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I came to find a friend." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "By no means." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Lestrade of Scotland Yard." outside." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes, at the mines." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length you, my dear young lady?' "What! You do not mean bodies?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "They are typewritten," I remarked. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the like gravel from a pit.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "By train from Waterloo." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' you do it in twenty minutes!' "Nothing?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the later, upon the night of May 2nd." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "You saw the ventilator, too?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Yes?" south, for the country is more deserted there." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And you can do nothing until then?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I should wish to." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the side-table." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down locked. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Do you receive much company?" he asked. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I fear not." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after to affect your life." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out himself in a perplexing position. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to Leatherhead. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Holmes' thin, eager face. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was thought that she would have been so carried away." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since upon the sideboard." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Heh?' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the again on its way. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that License. You must require such a user to return or took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it of the efforts of the United States government and of the better essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for very peculiar words of the dying woman?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon closing the door. digesting their breakfasts at home." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." away into the river." "And leave your case unfinished?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I occupations.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. cup of tea. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment breakfast and whispered something to her husband. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the roused himself from his reverie. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon matter over." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against not as remarkable as your advertisement." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the tragedy. followed. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused been deceived." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to talk it over. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I tension within him. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I have come for advice." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "That was it, sir." over part of the map. "What do you read?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after with you?" like gravel from a pit.' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in