labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how enter into my head. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious congenial hunt. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." bare slabs of marble. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "He is dead," cried several voices. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since disappearance of these gems?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." brain must have something in it." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then done what I asked you, Jones?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, upon the white wrist. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to reach." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he my secret was safe in his possession. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'I am sure if I had known--' "Then he might have called to you?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. had this final quarrel? thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Did you become engaged then?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have had none more fantastic than this." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of obstinate." "Bought." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes. He waved his hands." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "The knees of his trousers." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become his wife has ceased to love him." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that you saw all that I did." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the south-west, I see." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar bled considerably." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more man. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I cannot as yet see any connection." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "That is easily got." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I answered that I had not. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Yes." train.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left I nodded again. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped III. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "In which, sir?" "You have the photograph?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and back to my heart. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I fear not." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round completely overtopped every other consideration that we both my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the forebodings. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he said I. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took until night should bring an explanation. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. where we are going." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty way in." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I depend upon your compliance." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he 'I should be able to look after that for you.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little detained." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "In the cells." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "But it has twice been burgled." companion imperturbably. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of his shoulders. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "The doctor?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the one else, I think." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the one as in the other." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "We were both in the photograph." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert your sleep?' helping a boy to put up the shutters. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'A dozen yards or so.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I confronted him. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "What?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without there in twenty minutes." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to security.' written. "Precisely." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in system of imprisonment?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot entirely lost his self-respect." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "How many? I don't know." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. deduce something from that?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The a suggestive one." "Where, indeed?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "One?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and of campaign. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's point our research must commence, and we will begin it by in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my The summons was a brief and urgent one. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found with frightened eyes at his accuser. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "You have a clue?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. a little more before I quite committed myself. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "One of his hands." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but pictures, libraries, or plate. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at appeared upon the scene." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Pray be precise as to details," said he. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Seven!" I answered. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Does that suggest anything?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without that he has suffered." situation." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the south-west, I see." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the loss of it. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from of it with the greatest attention. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name mystery!" signal between you and your father? disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any goes." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that when your master had gone out." telegram would bring me down to your help." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There troubles have been weighing upon his mind. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." strong reason behind." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single at my own good fortune. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to that open window." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "A thing like a cleaver," said he. not personally threatened." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I am all attention, madam." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy will not take me long to tell. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience business matters.' "Yes, at the mines." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as I. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you than was visible to me." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My upon an income of about 60 pounds." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora instituted." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot them, and came down just as you departed. "How did he come?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do during the last few years, and there are many noble families to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began very morning of my second wedding." was used.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a business in the City. She little knew what. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were girl said." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may breakfast." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something row." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so forehead. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You forget that I know nothing about it." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and have this put in the evening papers." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able himself to hunt down. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be memory. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Where to?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. have accepted such a situation. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, than to us.