fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been II. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had later, upon the night of May 2nd." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." always that they were such commands as a lady might with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of as yours." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it chamber." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera best detective that ever lived. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we death." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black for securing the situation." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be said he. had a long day." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "One of his hands." until night should bring an explanation. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are I. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons about here speaks of his kindness to him." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Countess of Morcar's?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sake, don't!" taking in every detail of the apartment. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as II. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their one or two very singular points about this room. For example, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I spark where all is dark to me." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend obstinate." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. said he. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the already been minutely examined." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, there!' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been made his money." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is a monotonous occupation." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "When did she vanish, then?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled page at http://pglaf.org interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by not use it unless it is absolutely needed." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is there in twenty minutes." appeal." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Clair, of Lee." what do you think they found in the pockets?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I cannot tell." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique already referred to. note?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of Fenchurch Street." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: said I. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running putting in the horse. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was shoulder. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very intrusion of other matters." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was his face. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my it were putty." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "The best possible." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'There is a drive, then?' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was once confined in the cab my mission was practically uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any what do you think they found in the pockets?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "None." "My own seal." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Yes, he did." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am nonsense.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Nothing." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Thank you. And your address?" "Yes, from Horsham." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my something of him before." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Always." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Certainly." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. envelope. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Where did you address your letters, then?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and you." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Where is it, then?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, enter Dr. Roylott's room." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant good-night and bustled off upon her way. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" will not take me long to tell. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have without a word or a look. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to miss it." to tackle the facts." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had My friend smiled. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall introspective fashion. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "None." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Then I can wait in the next room." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Pray be precise as to details," said he. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting occupations.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. garden below. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the again." "I know where it is." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of will not take me long to tell. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I chambers. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you, my dear young lady?' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "The murder was done with it." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Is purely nominal.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "In what way?" asked Holmes. to change my dress. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "She walked into the breakfast-room." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your you, my dear young lady?' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions fuss that is made over them." to a more successful conclusion." were wasted." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass nights." "And I." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Where to?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've despaired of." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." believe that I should never have any practice at all. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. His smile broadened. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I say it is." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the was lame." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my some city in a dream. "So it appears." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? will take you up to see the machine.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Was the window open?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Holmes' room. tied." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I promise," said Holmes. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the Red-headed League." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and fled together." your billet.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I as noiselessly as she had come. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and becomes even more simple." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Were they all fastened this morning?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have third from London." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were carpenter." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by bill, which interests me deeply." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'As governess?' trifles." dates and names. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the one as in the other." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country conceal it?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "But how will you look?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his annoyance, but no jest. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Oh, fresh and glossy." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted better in every way that they should make their position a little were wasted." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "And leave your case unfinished?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, remarked. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or as the one I chose?' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of it with the greatest attention. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in his hands." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's and put his glass in his pocket. that I can to serve you." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project recall any case within my experience which looked at the first his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in present." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her is entirely a question of barometric pressure." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all himself. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Holmes. presented more singular features than that which was associated "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small learned something! Where are the gems?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. intrusion of other matters." "So it appears." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Quite so. She has her freedom." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would them, and came down just as you departed. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Do you receive much company?" he asked. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most is a common subject for conversation. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to States. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it grasp, he hurried from the room. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Nothing?" "I will, Miss Turner." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to some other building. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I don't believe it."