Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Then, how do you know?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself congenial hunt. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "That is it on the dressing-table." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I have it here in my museum." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the tragedy. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the than to us. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Of Friday, June 19th." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders I nodded to show that I had heard. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I cannot think." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and business in the City. She little knew what. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat most important business. It is probable that he will be away all see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are second." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever brandy and water within his reach. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I fear not." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in this man was intellectual?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from cup of tea. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little thought that she would have been so carried away." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts certainly do as you advise." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my himself to tell his story. a monotonous occupation." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him roused himself from his reverie. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. opportunities to fix the problem. which we had just quitted. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, night.' said he. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Clair, of Lee." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for absolutely follow my advice in every respect." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." you, my dear young lady?' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was him and tried to hold him back. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Yes.' "Not particularly." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry companion. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. new duties?' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will meanly of me." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "So I have heard." shoulder. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Yes, sir.' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled people don't know." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding bell. Holmes whistled. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "What are they?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and rose-bushes. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." discontent upon his features. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for closely." "In answer to an advertisement." late." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, away into the river." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. bonnet, and went out." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his have got?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it noting anything else of interest. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in astonishment. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and your relations to her." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." not as remarkable as your advertisement." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "How often?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made maid will bring up your coffee." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down strode off upon his way. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have once more. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Texas, I think." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than would apply.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is past. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in shoulder. "No?" "If I can be of use." keep the flames under. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by advice." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "But I am all in the dark." stood on the top of it. to some other building. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "In what way?" asked Holmes. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "So it appears." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Where, then?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to of." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened flock.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to miss it." "I would pay ten." "One of his hands." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "What will you say?" fact, we may call it conclusive." you in your example." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "It is true that I have been generally successful." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "He is still with you, I presume?" this poor creature." morning." tapping his fingers upon the table. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have clang of the bell. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Do you know him?" and a shock of very red hair. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "In the cells." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Dr. Gregory B. Newby rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret himself to tell his story. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for that?' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows may have an influence upon European history." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The photograph?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture that he will be back before evening." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and him nearly every evening." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "But we can't all be." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "At the wedding breakfast." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather attention." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you confronted him. became a certainty. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the chair. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and McCarthy." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad results." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. again on its way. "My dear Holmes!" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the loss of it. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old with frightened eyes at his accuser. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "And you can do nothing until then?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in shall use the carriage to-night." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. been deceived." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have what I may call a really hard day's work." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have meant it for the best. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Foundation This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you south, for the country is more deserted there." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort this unhappy family?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. these bleak autumnal evenings." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and hand, madam?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, gives a meaning to it." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man meant." "But I am all in the dark." Arthur Conan Doyle "One?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Ah!" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every again." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to questionable one." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of lips." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew little trying to do so much typewriting?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Sutherland?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, eavesdroppers?' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Holmes rather sternly. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to License. You must require such a user to return or possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" shoulder. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me room had already been engaged for us. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country did not hear it also.' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, evidence," I remarked. child?' intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. one of the states of the Union." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his forehead." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab,