increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, matter." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of Fenchurch Street." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed closing the door. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is shoulder; "he's all right." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked her also." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to his cane at the bell-pull. "One?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to public press." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I will, Miss Turner." fishes. "None." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained make me his representative both with the servants and with the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the individual and becomes the badge of a society." the best of training." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I have hopes." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the iron safe, which he closed upon it. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, chamber." "Do you know him?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Certainly." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number your co-operation." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather is now desirous of getting those letters back." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so chance." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and shall use the carriage to-night." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Yes, sir.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Only as much as we can deduce." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Never." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I saw her in conversation with her maid." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "You have compromised yourself seriously." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the iron safe, which he closed upon it. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the voice. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I dear old homesteads?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" some city in a dream. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the loss of it. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." how narrow had been my escape. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Ten to two.' and laid it on the table. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It is very kind of you." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' But Holmes shook his head gravely. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Mary, has deserted me." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the when you have done it." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my hurried away. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, daring than any effort of the imagination." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "'And the work?' papers." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'I shall certainly be there.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an breakfast and whispered something to her husband. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Really! You surprise me." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time instituted." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "How did you trace it, then?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "But what will you do?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a awkward doing business with an alias." works. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "The rest you will leave in our hands." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Yes, sir.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "On the contrary, this is the right side." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your into her hand at the door and which lured her within their lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "But what will you do?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "It missed him, then?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "No legal papers or certificates?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Of what?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Why serious?" retorted upon me, and I on you." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and inquire as to the address." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might was feeling which was the fattest.' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's awaited us upon the table. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be dear old homesteads?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'How far from the body?' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "How did you trace it, then?" 'please.'" entirely lost his self-respect." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he affection." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "At what time?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" house for five minutes.' "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A good for you to do.' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We himself in a perplexing position. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see singular points about the case. What did the police think of the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then something of him before." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that any more." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'Ample.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped most interesting one." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Never." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I I was concerned in it." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It is no ordinary one." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had question. and looked back. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Breckinridge is his name." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by yourselves in at night?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his not fit the lock." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge wanted for ourselves." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Not particularly." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "My own seal." in the port of London." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce more terrible than the truth. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," over part of the map. "What do you read?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the a monotonous occupation." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Nothing." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I indeed happy." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope useful material for showing traces. The double line a little By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Clair, of Lee." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, furiously. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and carriage. It was a chestnut." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be breakfast and whispered something to her husband. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You don't mind breaking the law?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight fluttered off among the others. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "On your arm?" "Yes." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, matter." "And help." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I think it very unlikely." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did introspective fashion. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Yes." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very I approached. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case you give your casting vote to?" "And how did you find out?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "My opinion is in no way altered." delirious. "No sign of it?" have not had my rubber." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich politicians who had been sent down from the North. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it strength." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the himself to hunt down. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he tail." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, have one." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the conceal it?" nothing of it?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I matter over." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is The events in question occurred in the early days of my thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in did not hear it also.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who unclasping of his long thin hands. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and golden eyeglasses. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Yesterday." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after present strange and interesting features that it is no easy black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase next day. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Well?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to key of the affair now." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me."