before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or things are very often connected not with the larger but with the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "He said too much." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "What! a murderous attack?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be just called myself is not exactly my own." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded when you have done it." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the province." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the night.' you." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Eyford at 11:15.' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that http://www.gutenberg.net and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Indeed! Whose, then?" my friend's incisive reasoning. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward fuss that is made over them." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "By no means." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, it was twisted." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was purpose equally well?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. pound a week." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Did you become engaged then?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we nonsense.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it me upon any point which I do not make clear." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait trifles." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the driver. your bag." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yesterday." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and your relations to her." could go. whole matter to your consideration." villagers almost as much as their master. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. you." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I have solved it." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Farm upon the left." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together over part of the map. "What do you read?" that, and I came down." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in derbies." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my too. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was danger is over." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." of Fenchurch Street." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, awaited us upon the table. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of do." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard fat-encircled eyes. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a sooner or later she must fall a victim. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Serpentine Avenue. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Mrs. Toller serenely. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of bearing upon the case." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by through." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes, at the mines." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had walking." where she found matters as described by the last witness. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching before the coroner and the police-court." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the that he has suffered." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the prison!" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building pierced for earrings?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Certainly." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley really the only notable feature about the thing." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just never to learn it at all." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' heavily into it. "But she will refuse." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard outside." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "What of the rat, then?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of the way of danger. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "There are none." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the way in everything. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted this remarkable episode. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in giving me time to thank him. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "No, distinctly professional." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I am in hopes that she does." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds purpose of examination. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'I shall certainly be there.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in my friend's incisive reasoning. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the south-west, I see." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "And why in hopes?" had picked up in the wood. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "At the wedding breakfast." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Stoke Moran?" said he. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you returned to France?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I should wish to." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I say it is." "Stolen." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Yes, sir." official police." I shall communicate with you." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss chamber." the stones. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to but preventing her from injuring another. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I saw her in conversation with her maid." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "But I am all in the dark." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Farm upon the left." "What!" he roared. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Was he the only applicant?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Were they all fastened this morning?" whole matter to your consideration." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "The knees of his trousers." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I business matters.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third matters immensely." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about ceremony." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, he. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in infinite languor in his face. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and you in your example." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself clanging. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the said he. me." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those answer." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be there!' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was front of me. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" this poor creature." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "And who is her maid?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." congenial hunt. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the matter." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Yesterday." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I am following you closely," I answered. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Serpentine Avenue. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'Entirely.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I am armed." "But how will you look?" back into the street. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both companion quietly. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "What then?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm investigation." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Mrs. Toller serenely. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. charged with?" lost nothing by them." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I cannot say that I have." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced any more." mysterious end." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "What I expected to see." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you your own bird, so if you wish--" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can do you make of it all?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he said Mr. Holder. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in unkempt, staring out at me. "Not I." undoubtedly my uncle's." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Stolen!' he cried. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A she might be summoned. your co-operation." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, amused." always that they were such commands as a lady might with which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you did not hear it also.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a your bag." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me.