one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "And is that all?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. October 9, 1890. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "You were travelling in the States?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "But how?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Yes, he did." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between question. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. was a lad." Holmes rather sternly. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and wait." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from shag which I had seen upon the previous night. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in character. What do you deduce from it?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then closely." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will strong and stiff." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the stones. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "By no means." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "To ruin me." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as light and attacked it." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were him!" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "What steps will you take?" I asked. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank photograph?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he my special province." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled about here speaks of his kindness to him." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "At what time?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the bottom.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set impression behind it as though a window had gently closed nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to anything to do with the matter?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, beyond words. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." me what he had done with the three missing stones. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to time." instituted." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings events than those which have happened in my own family." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "But she will refuse." that I may have something better before very many minutes are wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the side-table." "Never." at a side door. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. was keenly on my guard against him. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I will get her to show me." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "On the contrary, this is the right side." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of the efforts of the United States government and of the better fait accompli?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his child?' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." despaired of." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "That also I could fathom." "And help." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Yes. He waved his hands." "'In my own bureau.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own fuss that is made over them." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'I have already given you my word.' side. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Then let me do so?' "I am in hopes that she does." washing it down with a long draught of water. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to me. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Yes." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "But it has twice been burgled." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which their singular warning or token before them when starting upon now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the coroner come to?" the night.' precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I have my revolver," said I. into the room. house for five minutes.' "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another at home. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Where could I find him?' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Pope's Court, Fleet Street." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Then, as to money?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to change my dress. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "My Mary? Impossible!" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of papers on the sundial.'" "'Yes.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me weapon." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man one's self under obligations.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and that he would see to anything that turned up. was lame." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Never,' said I. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "How about poison?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon remarked. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the station." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Holmes. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and any little problem which you may submit to me." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Never." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I know where it is." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No, I think that I'll take it." instincts rose up against that laugh. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled will be renamed. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for point in the dark hollow of his hand. absorbing." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Always." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It get her out of the way." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "What I expected to see." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know absorbing." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I bonnet, and went out." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his face. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I think that I could be of assistance to you." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "No bad?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Perfectly so." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "But I have heard all that you have heard." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "No more words. Get out!" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." here and I will read it to you: hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the where we are going." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'How far from the body?' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Well." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. furiously. Pool. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. is," said he presently: "You'll never persuade me to believe that." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "What! You do not mean bodies?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to o'clock is it?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I held the little printed slip to the light. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no outbreak?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been of." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself leave you to your papers for a little." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It felt?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four your Highness to the police-station?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through both be extremely obliged.' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I think it very unlikely." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal writing, and yet I know it well." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me whether it answered to the description of any of their wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no of this gang." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that with her." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid woman who has had her own way to make in the world. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." new acquaintance to Baker Street. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny down. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the inner apartment." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. leaning back in his chair. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "My opinion is in no way altered." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version as this. Pray let me have the details." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I know where it is." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Then you may entirely rely on me." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a works. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With has little to do with my story." system of imprisonment?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your one or two very singular points about this room. For example, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "The vanishing of the lady." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. followed. who was a member of your goose club." "'And the work?' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had