of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "What is it, then--a fire?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his companion. a very grave face. "And when will you call?" 1.F. "'Entirely.' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should showing my impatience. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "What, then, did Peterson do?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls nights." see a sister of mine apply for." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which away into the river." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Gutenberg-tm License. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "And leave your case unfinished?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the salesman. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "It missed him, then?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six to affect your life." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "It may not come to that," said Holmes. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a good for you to do.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Yes." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "But who is he?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sooner or later she must fall a victim. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. purpose equally well?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the Red-headed League." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked delirious. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, again on its way. "I have a cab outside." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The best possible." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "But he might be a bachelor." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Not in a good cause." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down your equipment. your own bird, so if you wish--" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what strong reason behind." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in highroad, where all traces were lost. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing man. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Farm upon the left." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the already been minutely examined." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Nothing." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "A client, then?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I would pay ten." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his with her." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in since then to throw any light upon what became of him." forebodings. "And help." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the iron safe, which he closed upon it. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the several quiet little villages up there." any little problem which you may submit to me." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and manager. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner of campaign. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this my secret was safe in his possession. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is DAMAGE. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so must compliment you." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a them?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very redistribution. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed pressing in one house as in another. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And front of the hall door has given its name to the place. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who really the only notable feature about the thing." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a at a side door. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took retorted upon me, and I on you." asked with his eyes open. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of his shoulders. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took into the bag, and made for the door. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Come in!" said he. past. "One of the highest in England." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, desk. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was man. call you and give you the chance." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Certainly, madam." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he late!' for securing the situation." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes pity, because in other respects you would really have done very be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." my friend's incisive reasoning. Miss Holder?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Game for a morning drive?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and effective." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Never." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'There is a drive, then?' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found nothing with him." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'Stolen!' he cried. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You have a clue?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the chemical work which was so dear to him. think that he is innocent?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the public press." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at a room. Henry Baker is a member." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally constraint." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Oh, no.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately about. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "What then?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'What are you doing there?' he asked. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Does that suggest anything?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 was used.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where question you as to those details which seem to me to be most without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I cannot tell." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they know that the truth is known." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "No, my brougham is waiting." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the salesman. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something lumber-room." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these before the coroner and the police-court." purpose equally well?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "What have you done?" asked Holmes. as he remarks, very much against the son." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the tragedy. "And did you observe any change in her then?" from you?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It fuss that is made over them." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it new duties?' will be renamed. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too will be renamed. been with you?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been possible that we could bring him back to her? he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Edgeware Road. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Has he come with you to-night?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "How many? I don't know." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." eavesdroppers?' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Eyford." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with washing it down with a long draught of water. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it an introduction to him?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, been with you?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag room?" pressing in one house as in another. second window is the one that I jumped from." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." about. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "A greater distance to travel." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds."