has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Imitated." least a most suspicious remark." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to you." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this it. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." maid will bring up your coffee." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to words came to my lips. him and tried to hold him back. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Was the window open?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had or other trace. But how on earth--" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." experiences." showing my impatience. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "An enemy?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek so.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the tragedy. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." again." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Where, then?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the night.' extraordinary contortions. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" which it had come upon my father." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to to tackle the facts." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to tackle the facts." did not hear it also.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such woman who has had her own way to make in the world. I nodded again. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will your most interesting statement." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon me, and I could not think that his explanation of the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some despair." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'Yes, it was gone.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. despair." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "None. Neville wrote those words." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Thank you. Pray proceed." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Perhaps we may make them less so." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three upon the white wrist. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fatally injured? say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And why in hopes?" returned to France?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" knowledge of the world." absorbing." could go. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would pound a week." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them you." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Gutenberg-tm License. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, round and wave him away like that.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "No." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Nothing." "'Yes, sir.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were second." "10th. John Swain cleared. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The drove away. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" woman." "You horrify me." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Cross for the Continent." to some other building. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I was afraid that you were engaged." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming system of imprisonment?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Which dealer's?' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of unprofitable." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "My stepfather's business papers." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge villagers almost as much as their master. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that acted in my house last night?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "How did you deduce the select?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to have been novel and of interest." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about made him keep the appointment." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact place no limit on the sum I may draw." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his lost his Christmas dinner." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was used.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the iron safe, which he closed upon it. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is humiliation." tear off another piece?' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Indeed! Whose, then?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the row." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' him. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'What are you doing there?' he asked. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a went to the Alpha were town bred." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Then, as to money?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Here?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: ashen face. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "That you are never beaten." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'Where to?' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I know where it is." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Stolen!' he cried. system of imprisonment?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would been anything against him. He had for years been known as a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely arrested. You then--" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Certainly." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester about. The events in question occurred in the early days of my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I have come for advice." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell seem to you to be relevant or not." thin legs towards the fire. "Certainly." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other crackling voice. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the stones. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away congratulate you again." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you she might be summoned. father's place of business?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was third from London." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Yes, he did." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Here?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I cannot as yet see any connection." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Clair, of Lee." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Tired-looking or fresh?" business in the City. She little knew what. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned voice, changing her seat as requested. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father whereabouts. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, prepare for the new role I have to play." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets out." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists your sleep?' "Very truly yours, of them has the shutters up.' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this was a perfect sample of the class. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'Stolen!' he cried. tell them apart.' "They are typewritten," I remarked. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Pray continue your narrative." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I am to be neutral?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step room. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Yes?" "Who by?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and other lovers by making love himself." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird details." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I will not look." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Never,' said I. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a golden eyeglasses. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it your troubles." particular state visit http://pglaf.org slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Not in the least." miles off. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the lost his Christmas dinner." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Holmes." observed. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Where did you address your letters, then?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always come either from the window or the door. My attention was all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Could he throw no light?" read over the extraordinary announcement. could go. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the even of instruction." "Get out!" said he. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat delighted to hear it," he said. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a before the coroner and the police-court." to arrive at through this?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "But you can know nothing of this?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Come in!" said Holmes. "Get out!" said he. electronic works "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' thought that she would have been so carried away." "You have the photograph?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Can I be of assistance?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and