"Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to rooms." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the hopeless attempt at recovering them." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, I had a dozen." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left all?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "But you were on a friendly footing?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in is a common subject for conversation. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek observed. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "The knees of his trousers." seem to you to be relevant or not." late!' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "By no means." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" weapon." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. mysterious business." opportunities to fix the problem. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I would give my fortune to have them back." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal unprofitable." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the inner apartment." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Why did you pick him?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Yes." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so threw himself down with his face to the pillow. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'What would be the hours?' I asked. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's not as remarkable as your advertisement." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive colonel looking down at me. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "He slept on the premises." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Perhaps I have." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks stalked out of the room. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for invisible to me," I remarked. matter." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From do you make of it all?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. arrangements." "It was an hour's good drive." despair." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "But who is he?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some call you and give you the chance." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. it with his own hands." "Pray do so." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have points to suicide?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "The best possible." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Only as much as we can deduce." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Thank you. And your address?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, questionable one." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His on in his house." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his my secret was safe in his possession. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Then I shall certainly come." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and inquire as to the address." "But she could not love him." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "She showed me, as I told you she would." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the address that was given us in the advertisement. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and it need not interfere very much with one's other public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Have you good authority for what you say?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some careless servant girl?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his standing smiling on the door-step. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Not I." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the matter." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest 'please.'" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might photograph?" arrested. You then--" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my delirious. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. nothing of it?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'About the same.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Proceed, then." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Yes, that is the Crown." overpowering excitement and concern. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as instituted." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Eyford at 11:15.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." entirely lost his self-respect." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Did you become engaged then?" visitors." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless evidence," I remarked. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "It is very clear." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only through." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "The landlord of the Alpha." yourselves in at night?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "On the contrary, this is the right side." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "An accident, I presume?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would bearing upon the case." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which fled together." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an bill, which interests me deeply." "'Never.' delighted to hear it," he said. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'I have heard so.' only touch the interest." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Precisely so. But how--" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Here?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I have seen the police." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Nothing." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Lee, in the county of Kent." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Do you receive much company?" he asked. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot in one or two places in England?' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be when you have done it." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Certainly." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Have you it here?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by spark where all is dark to me." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll or other trace. But how on earth--" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' think that any burglar could have done. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle my special province." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, direction." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I spare." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might had this final quarrel? returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took to tell." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "What of the rat, then?" "One?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice long narrative. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of flock.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, remarked. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes, the wine-cellar." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes introspective fashion. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "You are certainly joking, Holmes." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." business matters.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a if only as a check to my own memory." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being when your master had gone out." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite approach us with offers to donate. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two where she found matters as described by the last witness. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "It is no ordinary one." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. were new raised from a basin. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its felt?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew do.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, daring than any effort of the imagination." as noiselessly as she had come. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. my room." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And that is--" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they