there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I cannot as yet see any connection." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of which are rolled in Rotterdam." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Then let me do so?' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Pray do so." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Do you go out much in society?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. guilty parties." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "No?" "Not in a good cause." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon lumber-room." "But of what society?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover whatever might befall. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "But his left-handedness." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Pray let us have it, for all that." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "At what time?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical hair?' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a showing my impatience. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace felt?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his where we are going." directly by questioning you." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Stolen!' he cried. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of the one which your family is now devouring." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw head. So long, then!" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is him. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I shall continue with my miserable story. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Heh?' "Then he might have called to you?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe see me here to avoid scandal." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; in him." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Very. But will he see it?" investigation." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch foresight and the moral retrogression?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother overpowering excitement and concern. you understand?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' as he remarks, very much against the son." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Nothing?" out." that there was nothing in it, after all." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'You doubt its value?' he asked. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been I think that I could be of assistance to you." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "What then?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange McCarthy." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "How can you tell that?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with presume?" one else, I think." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts see me here to avoid scandal." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has plantation.' bill, which interests me deeply." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring one or two very singular points about this room. For example, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I am in hopes that she does." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the shall use the carriage to-night." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the coroner come to?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in of." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'What, the red-headed man?' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "You horrify me." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." lost his Christmas dinner." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "You were travelling in the States?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Not particularly." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Sholtos." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "But how?" will he say when he returns?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all me. You must get home instantly and act." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional photograph?" "I promise," said Holmes. "My opinion is in no way altered." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That is not always so easy." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to kind enough to tell me what I should do." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, do.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. again." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Yes, the wine-cellar." habit of advancing money.' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "My dear Holmes!" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, that is the Crown." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between depend upon your compliance." believe that I should never have any practice at all. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand detained." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right was a lad." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Street. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in darkness. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family intrusion of other matters." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Why did you pick him?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by not, dad?" she asked. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Yes." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "What steps will you take?" I asked. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at thin legs towards the fire. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yesterday." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I am about to be married." fuss that is made over them." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue are windows in it, of course?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in business at Coburg Square is serious." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay matter over." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, yet." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our crime. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." away into the river." bell. Holmes whistled. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried think that any burglar could have done. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "But you were on a friendly footing?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and question," said Holmes, smiling. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy stood on the top of it. "'Oh, no.' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. carpenter." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are away in different directions, and I went off to make my own conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "What then?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which likely to be some crony of the landlady's." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "But I am all in the dark." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and laid it on the table. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I say it is." colonel looking down at me. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see later, upon the night of May 2nd." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "So I am. Very much so." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very she slowly sank and died without having recovered her demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which strode off upon his way. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I cannot think." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "What steps will you take?" I asked. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not lost his Christmas dinner." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "No." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, sufficient punishment." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, second window is the one that I jumped from." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. shoulder. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was locked." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. legal crime." "I answered that I had not. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew hour." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. writer." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my considering the formidable letters which were received by himself this Miss Turner." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Never." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to down. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow father's place of business?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, straightened it out again. you." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "One of the highest in England." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and laid it on the table. "'Never,' said I. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "My opinion is in no way altered." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "There are none." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'In my own bureau.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we up this clue while it is still hot." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "No bad?" "VIOLET HUNTER." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, I know no one in these parts.' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came