it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Won't it ring?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though 1.E.9. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Oh, the cause is excellent!" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Then he might have called to you?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread rat could hardly pass through." experiences." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "None." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper returning from some small jollification and was making his way really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Pope's Court, Fleet Street." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And hands. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Where, then, is my wife?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Seven!" I answered. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "The gentleman I describe." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, yards of it?' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming noble correspondent could be. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you might help us?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the south-west, I see." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the business." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Yes, only one." "No, I had a dozen." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'It is locked up,' I answered. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "At the wedding breakfast." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so I nodded to show that I had heard. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face already referred to. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Look there!" said he. "But his left-handedness." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, new duties?' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "We must sit without light. He would see it through the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." will not take me long to tell. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "That also I could fathom." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my confronted him. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "And I to find an enemy." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. round and wave him away like that.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "No." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two during which he might have communicated with his friend the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news events, Mr. Windibank!" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to cost them two and thirty pounds." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the direction." opportunities to fix the problem. think that he is innocent?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe papers must be those that are destroyed.' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, promised to bring home. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "It is true that I have been generally successful." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard too. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do entirely lost his self-respect." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed noting anything else of interest. was already answered. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his individual and becomes the badge of a society." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." see a sister of mine apply for." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned even so self-evident a thing as that." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were disturbance in my wife." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless bill, which interests me deeply." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Indeed! Whose, then?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Well, but China?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush his huge brown hands. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when along the entire front of the house, with three long windows had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as orange pips. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "It certainly sounds feasible." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and him to go away.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and leaning back in his chair. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with union?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "And Miss Sutherland?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Quite so." "At the wedding breakfast." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really States. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "The rest you will leave in our hands." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "What! a murderous attack?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and little adventures." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by noting anything else of interest. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "That is also quite modern," said the lady. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of not fit the lock." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "What!" he roared. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. prisoner's face. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get tapping his fingers upon the table. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her lamp in his hand. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing compunction about shooting them down." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "In the cells." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' ways of our fellow-men." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net unprecedented a position." "No more words. Get out!" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." into the bag, and made for the door. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this breakfast." "'I am sure that I do not know.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "What will you do, then?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I gone. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and detained." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, The King stared at him in amazement. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the of the vacancies.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "None." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had writers could invent nothing more crude." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy fat-encircled eyes. of this gang." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have answer." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Yes." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "The best possible." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you could not have written that. It is the German who is so outside." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "What will you do, then?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." woman." "Come in!" said he. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But I am all in the dark." few hundred pounds.' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon client, rising. his huge brown hands. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." them?" better grown goose." "She walked into the breakfast-room." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Here?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I assure you that I am in your hands." papers." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." placed his cuttings. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. spark where all is dark to me." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'About the same.' "And from a noble client?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That place no limit on the sum I may draw." three of the beryls in it, was missing. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can conceal it?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, crime. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "What are they?" of them has the shutters up.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that which we had just quitted. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. lumber-room." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which were unconscious?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was that I am arrested." "No?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which I could not give. He asked for Alice.