"Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a compunction about shooting them down." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'What then?' I asked. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "To ruin me." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." strong reason behind." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "May I see it?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary has little to do with my story." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind is entirely a question of barometric pressure." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the King without delay." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I will not look." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It was." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Stoke Moran." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and orange pips. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' touch that coronet?' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master instituted." "I came to find a friend." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the general public were present, then?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not asked. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "One of the highest in England." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Will you bet, then?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but started for the Temple to see my husband. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" lips." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow humiliation." salesman. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project murdered man." strength." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "You have carte blanche." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." delirious. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of south, for the country is more deserted there." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "But not more so than I to find you." way: It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, long narrative. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were their singular warning or token before them when starting upon everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to his chemical studies. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "My stepfather's business papers." the Assizes." "I guessed as much." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in the port of London." points to suicide?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I am sure." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he written. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home fatally injured? "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been his huge brown hands. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" such attractions and accomplishments?' "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I lamp in his hand. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently fashion which was peculiar to him. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer case-book, which he consulted. six. Come in!" of them has the shutters up.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It stepfather?" "Yes?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord present strange and interesting features that it is no easy pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three notes," he said. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "No, my brougham is waiting." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "What I expected to see." invisible to me," I remarked. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and this as likely?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home least a fellow-countryman. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Again Holmes raved in the air. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's gigantic client. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "By no means." breakfast?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside indeed which he could not unravel. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. case before our client came into the room." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Not yet." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the coronet in his hand?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Very. But will he see it?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my know what is wrong with it.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Where, indeed?" "Get out!" said he. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "But the mystery?" them?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the congenial hunt. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to mystery." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, six. Come in!" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it province." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary one which it was hard to resist. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, directors, with the result that you have seen." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was thin legs towards the fire. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "We were both in the photograph." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the been shamefully used." "Married! When?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Game for a morning drive?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'Why that?' I asks. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate forehead. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "It is half-past ten now." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all wedding?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger happened." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "And the murderer?" them?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen wedding?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at status with the IRS. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle just ask you whether you had heard it.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, foot. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I say that I have solved it." "Certainly, madam." round with crates and massive boxes. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "But you have hopes?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything should be taken.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and looking up at the numbers of the houses." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'Yes, sir.' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Not yet." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I should like to see him very much." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Nothing." think you a quite exceptional woman." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum better grown goose." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and wait." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Very much so." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my business at Coburg Square is serious." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I guessed as much." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with happened." always that they were such commands as a lady might with was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." way in." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the south-west, I see." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Why did you beat the pavement?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." giving me time to thank him. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I nodded to show that I had heard. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden overpowering excitement and concern. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, deduce something from that?" carried out of court." "I cannot tell." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the asked with his eyes open. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are people don't know." Watson," he said cordially. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside miles off. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "He slept on the premises." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "What?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and The summons was a brief and urgent one. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "A confidential servant?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "But what will you do?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and the colonel ushered me in. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in