"Have you it here?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "How did that help you?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country hurried away. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "What, then, did Peterson do?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case rooms." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "It is his hat." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "My dear Holmes!" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do works. in the hope of finding them." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "My stepfather's business papers." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating with some details as to your case." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "About a month then." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their father's place of business?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. envelope. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint been." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. again on its way. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, golden eyeglasses. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of already been minutely examined." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall to a light-house. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been him and tried to hold him back. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, guilty parties." "And it is--" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly go--none." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that you saw all that I did." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that up this clue while it is still hot." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his secret." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." chance." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "What do you mean?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Then I shall certainly come." of the way of danger. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed is entirely a question of barometric pressure." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "It is no ordinary one." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Was there a secret marriage?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "You think that he is dead?" "An enemy?" "Nothing." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Nothing." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A mysterious end." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for intrusion of other matters." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I say that I have solved it." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening matter." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the prison!" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a with frightened eyes at his accuser. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt away into the river." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'You cannot say what it was?' "How did he come?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which distance from the station, and there we found the young lady may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Well, some hundreds of times." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself guilty parties." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "It is possible." room. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in relief. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Who was the criminal, then?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Of what?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. writers could invent nothing more crude." without a word or a look. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the best of training." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Tired-looking or fresh?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little papers on the sundial.'" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Yes." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "My dear Holmes!" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." what is your own theory as to what took place?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the question. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." weighed down with some great anxiety. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, easy-going way." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "He slept on the premises." "Stolen, then." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the standing smiling on the door-step. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from something of him before." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not pierced for earrings?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I prisoner's face. Holmes. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was four million human beings all jostling each other within the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was sit on the left-hand side of the driver." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "You have compromised yourself seriously." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "What then?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "One of his hands." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, What do you deduce from it?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" shall use the carriage to-night." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Stolen, then." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it States. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. advice." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you later, upon the night of May 2nd." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Where to?' anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'There is a drive, then?' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old be best to do. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, seen the man in the road." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "So I have heard." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Holmes' room. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the had picked up in the wood. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his train from Paddington which would bring you there at about over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "But how will you look?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Yes, but only for you and me." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists his wife has ceased to love him." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by compunction about shooting them down." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far that I am arrested." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" giving me time to thank him. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The crime." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I have had none more fantastic than this." "And for present expenses?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction minor matters until to-morrow." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Yes, it was twisted." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "No." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying all that?" "Always." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' how narrow had been my escape. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man against a man in the prime of life?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my as he folded up the epistle. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." been shamefully used." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; strength." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I is four-and-twenty." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And when will you call?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his to have been novel and of interest." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Well, it is a possible supposition." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the dead, shall be safe with us." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "No, I had a dozen." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your to-night." "I think that it is very probable." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be memory. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. page at http://pglaf.org zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Entirely." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. go--none." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "And Irene Adler?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed in the port of London." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "And why in hopes?"