though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must criminal. We have already had experience of such." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric my former friend and companion. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it arrested. You then--" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or tightly behind him. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Of what day?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Watson," he said cordially. invisible to me," I remarked. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'What, the red-headed man?' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly particular state visit http://pglaf.org are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And how did you find out?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found carried out of court." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, point in the dark hollow of his hand. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'It is locked up,' I answered. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "To ruin me." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, DISSOLVED. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham will not take me long to tell. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." than was visible to me." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of hereditary King of Bohemia." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora than to us. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I beg pardon." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he very old mansion. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, that you can jump it.' tell them apart.' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to some other building. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm said I. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of this gang." telegram would bring me down to your help." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Then, as to money?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine carpenter." "About a month then." "And how did you find out?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "What do you mean?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was bears upon the case?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from was a lad." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the have an American origin." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'What do you call purely nominal?' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Miss Holder?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I cannot tell." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I have hopes." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the inner apartment." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door question you as to those details which seem to me to be most mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "How many? I don't know." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "That is not always so easy." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Certainly." "By all means." back into the street. rooms." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I should like to see him very much." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And you don't know his address?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Can I be of assistance?" "And why in hopes?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to foresight and the moral retrogression?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Eyford." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "They are typewritten," I remarked. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Pope's Court. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional to have that photograph." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San what do you think they found in the pockets?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the said he. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. hardly wander." "Yes." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of highroad, where all traces were lost. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "My stepfather's business papers." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for said he at last. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door when you have done it." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the ceiling. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to hair?' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the III. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. I leave." breakfast." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may me." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly me. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in waste of energy." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover said he. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was never to learn it at all." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport again." his cane at the bell-pull. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, were wasted." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the stones. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have retorted upon me, and I on you." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and carpenter." you, my dear young lady?' head. So long, then!" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a with you alone." husband's writing, madam." "No, thank goodness, she did not." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the station." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of During two years I have had three consultations and one small stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; derbies." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to-night." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "It is true that I have been generally successful." do.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss case-book, which he consulted. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do what is your own theory as to what took place?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Holmes, the busybody!" better in every way that they should make their position a little "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he existence." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself fear." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "That is also quite modern," said the lady. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I cannot tell." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the such attractions and accomplishments?' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and said he. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and possible that we could bring him back to her? leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The London for the present?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, pierced for earrings?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Very. But will he see it?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'What are you doing there?' he asked. examine." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but over with notes and figures. "9th. McCauley cleared. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "He said too much." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, article?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'I am sure if I had known--' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and what is your own theory as to what took place?" certainly do as you advise." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even cup of tea. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think overpowering excitement and concern. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the warnings." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'What do you call purely nominal?' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, with frightened eyes at his accuser. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have got?" fuss that is made over them." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I without a word or a look. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and laid it on the table. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "He is still with you, I presume?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." cigars in the box." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to than was visible to me." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two for securing the situation." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "But we can't all be." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Was the window open?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project beyond words. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." just called myself is not exactly my own." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Yes." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly murdered man." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do gigantic client. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was The King stared at him in amazement. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed paper in the air. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual arrested. You then--" conclusions.