a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, desk. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" his eyes and forehead. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin in the port of London." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and to have that photograph." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been husband's writing, madam." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and sparkled upon his finger. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that interests were the same as his." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Holmes, the busybody!" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "The best possible." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You have compromised yourself seriously." my secret was safe in his possession. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies with you alone." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Which are?" of it with the greatest attention. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the Assizes." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." hopeless attempt at recovering them." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Could he throw no light?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident my little problems." late!' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and the church but not where the lady lived." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The comes from the middle window." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words as he remarks, very much against the son." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. been." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Then you may entirely rely on me." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his wanted for ourselves." But Holmes shook his head gravely. off." my former friend and companion. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a your most interesting statement." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the so-precious time, but come!' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "And how did he make his money?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his knees, staring into the fire. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the bottom.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who John Swain, of St. Augustine. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible affection." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is his wife has ceased to love him." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project like that before?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Well, some hundreds of times." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that the gas is not laid on in his house?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Well?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up bore every mark of being an average commonplace British distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his we went to search for him, face downward in a little window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which walking." Henry Baker is a member." photograph a cabinet?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." chance." went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' done what I asked you, Jones?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Then I am your man." "He might." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, do.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what disappearance of the bride.'" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was McCarthy." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his one of them." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was it were putty." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided galvanised. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was entirely lost his self-respect." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I served to weaken the effect. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural have got?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Absolutely?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall have an American origin." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of a light. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the main points of my analysis." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep tell me that you intended to go into harness." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "On your arm?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. that threaten you." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Nearly eleven." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the father's place of business?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that had formerly been in part my own. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in following enigmatical notices: the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I think that it is very probable." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more whereabouts. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully place of silver." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Very murderous indeed." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was speckled band?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal of the way of danger. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to is worth.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" outside. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the comes from the middle window." "'How far from the body?' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." advice." undoubtedly my uncle's." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the south-west, I see." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way had picked up in the wood. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, his forehead." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as have not had my rubber." "Witness: It was. drawing your inferences." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Precisely." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is so. I know all about McCarthy." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Certainly not.' business." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his was used.' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. together. "Absolutely?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Where, then, is my wife?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Very well, sir. And this stone?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "My opinion is in no way altered." laugh and put his lips to my ear. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes learned something! Where are the gems?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And the cigar-holder?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case second window is the one that I jumped from." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction like gravel from a pit.' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "You think that he is dead?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect way in everything. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "You have the photograph?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the stones. of the vacancies.' "Imitated." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Well, but China?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." him to go away.' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a less than 26s. 4d. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your in this way: dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation father's place of business?" "Then I am your man." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the papers must be those that are destroyed.' events than those which have happened in my own family." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, But Holmes shook his head gravely. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Surrey." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It certainly sounds feasible." o'clock is it?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that ill-usage at the hands of fortune. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "And I." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to go into your room and bar your shutters?" strode off upon his way. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "At the wedding breakfast." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small it with his own hands." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "He might." "It is true that I have been generally successful." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of in the dead of the night?' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his garden below. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." as yours."