near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it only touch the interest." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his again, where I was soon asleep. fashion which was peculiar to him. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge it. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, very old mansion. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I wife's character?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more becomes even more simple." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. that he has suffered." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. vanished into the darkness. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "And what did you see?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "He said that you could solve anything." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and success. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I would pay ten." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "That also I could fathom." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a awkward doing business with an alias." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless horse could go." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Really! You surprise me." "The landlord of the Alpha." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the village inn over there?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' meant." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Were they all fastened this morning?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It was a confession," I ejaculated. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, just ask you whether you had heard it.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." you in your example." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he back into the street. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "But I have heard all that you have heard." "On the contrary, this is the right side." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or indeed happy." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "And Miss Sutherland?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" for and were ordered to this address. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the than to us. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and during that time.' strength in the others." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I am still in the dark." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I see many objections to any such theory." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "He slept on the premises." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "My dear Holmes!" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his forbidden door. "And now?" He raised his hand. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "What then?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always present." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies are windows in it, of course?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Holmes rather sternly. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "The murder was done with it." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little done what I asked you, Jones?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. views." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which to-night?' this unhappy family?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had in the port of London." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It must be recovered." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was may never be exposed to such a temptation." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations future lives." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Yes." as he folded up the epistle. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of back into the street. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable your equipment. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and imbecility!" he cried. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Upon what point?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he nonsense.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the roots. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "He disappeared so suddenly." served to weaken the effect. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the one of them." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still lamp. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would writers could invent nothing more crude." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Really! You surprise me." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and put his glass in his pocket. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, unclasping of his long thin hands. passage and a tap at the door. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you if only as a check to my own memory." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the roots. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And how?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have as the one I chose?' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it breakfast." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but orange pips. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "But you can know nothing of this?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "And when will you call?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I have my revolver," said I. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, morning." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the room while you explain this matter?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I am to be neutral?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I name is different." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Yes.' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark whether it answered to the description of any of their her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "My dear Holmes!" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I cannot think." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a of." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my For additional contact information: "And how in the world did you find them?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Never." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done what these perils are?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right back to my heart. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his woman who has had her own way to make in the world. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I would give my fortune to have them back." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I know where it is." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Ten will be early enough." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Absolutely?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." guilty one." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from said he, "my real name is James Ryder." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "There is the writing." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in you, my dear young lady?' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts face and glided from the room. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now seen the man in the road." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Ample." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Eyford at 11:15.' reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. is now desirous of getting those letters back." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to already referred to. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who tapping his fingers upon the table. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "What have you to say now?" too. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are II. key of the affair now." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they you understand?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very about. "It certainly sounds feasible." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, kindly on the shoulder. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by placed his cuttings. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his public press." your sleep?' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at conclusions. time." heavy and sharp instrument." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up know that the truth is known." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be little trying to do so much typewriting?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, during which he might have communicated with his friend the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. been deceived." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "She walked into the breakfast-room." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week feature." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no It was close upon four before the door opened, and a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the stable lane now." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he opened the door, and slipped through. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, criminal. We have already had experience of such." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. dead, shall be safe with us." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you companion. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' with frightened eyes at his accuser. "And leave your case unfinished?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; late." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove stood on the top of it. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Precisely so. But how--" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we it. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the coronet at all injured?"