feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a fuss that is made over them." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his than was visible to me." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is bird of prey. "And now?" I asked. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "What then?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You such person." absorbing." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I that?' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some new duties?' late." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't do.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing introspective fashion. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." should be taken.' "The Cedars?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to woman." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I have hopes." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Yes." asked. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I that he has suffered." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in upon the sideboard." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "It was." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I asked. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "We were both in the photograph." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at burst out into a roar of laughter. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all when you have done it." giving me time to thank him. Where does the thing come from?' the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Dr. Gregory B. Newby we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time bled considerably." "That is possible." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Yes, sir.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be bird I ate is country bred." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my returning from some small jollification and was making his way list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just prison!" himself to tell his story. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to allusion to a rat. "Then I do not see the point." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "She told me to ask you." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I cannot tell." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Will you bet, then?" to-night." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'And the work?' of the one which your family is now devouring." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love strong reason behind." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable manager. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "I don't say that. Perhaps." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" wedding?" me. You must get home instantly and act." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the coronet at all injured?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. gone before you can get him to hospital." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a him and tried to hold him back. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to think that any burglar could have done. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No more words. Get out!" success. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He galvanised. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my or in danger--" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole occupations.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his wanted for ourselves." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "How many? I don't know." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of note-paper. It read in this fashion: without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'What are you doing there?' he asked. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible was lame." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "You saw the ventilator, too?" you for a few hours?" Sutherland. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "And how did he make his money?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Serpentine Avenue. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking hair?' always that they were such commands as a lady might with front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is knowledge of the world." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." outside." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "It surprised me." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of your young ladies.' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the past. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable back alive. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. families. Now for the facts. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I humiliation." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the arrangements." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Precisely." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. you." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Where did he live, then?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his in a friendly supper." stood on the top of it. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not it." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Which dealer's?' confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found your only hope of safety." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO matter." "But how?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'Yes, I promise.' "I should like to see him very much." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "My last client of the sort was a king." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, distinguish the words: waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "The doctor?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Her father is very rich?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I prisoner's face. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' not within a twentieth part of the market price." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. there in twenty minutes." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, nonsense.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as himself to hunt down. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Game for a morning drive?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, fear." "The doctor?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess despair." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That strong and stiff." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, it. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare if I call to-morrow?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it late." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But appointment with me for six o'clock?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few followed. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." business matters.' "'Very good.' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they footfalls from the street. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "The Coroner: What do you mean? instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Did you become engaged then?" key turn in the lock." been." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven forehead. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman nice household for a young lady." "Witness: It was. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "But you have hopes?" he bowed and left the room without another word. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped you." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical room. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" some water from a caraffe. corner of the building. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And how did you verify them?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I have my revolver," said I. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." few hundred pounds.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his My friend smiled. I shall continue with my miserable story. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; returning from some small jollification and was making his way would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Pray do so." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under way in." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the done what I asked you, Jones?" compunction about shooting them down." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" thin legs towards the fire. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only your most interesting statement." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he guilty parties." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of it with the greatest attention. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she