it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is tail." province." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But not use it unless it is absolutely needed." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may a very grave face. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "In answer to an advertisement." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too business." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is comes from the middle window." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. daring than any effort of the imagination." is a common subject for conversation. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I enter Dr. Roylott's room." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "By train from Waterloo." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Imitated." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez correct than the official force." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the to affect your life." could not have written that. It is the German who is so the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he again before evening." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close colonel looking down at me. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, he bowed and left the room without another word. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and joking. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of go back?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the your co-operation." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "He is still with you, I presume?" chemical work which was so dear to him. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and roused himself from his reverie. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'You cannot say what it was?' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found writing, and yet I know it well." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. families. Now for the facts. never will be, entirely cleared up. drove away. generous with you in money matters.' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank before, for it was considerably after midnight. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Yes." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and all of them with the keenest interest. "How can you tell that?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently I was concerned in it." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I think that I could be of assistance to you." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life my room." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Frequently." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that voice, changing her seat as requested. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. that I can to serve you." third from London." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence just called myself is not exactly my own." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the house with me." closing the door. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as was feeling which was the fattest.' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I am sure." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. crime. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I views." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, pierced for earrings?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of your sleep?' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place recall any case within my experience which looked at the first This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out or in danger--" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "What, then?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our tied." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed works. See paragraph 1.E below. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that, and I came down." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or deduce something from that?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just For additional contact information: Pope's Court, Fleet Street." salesman. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought status with the IRS. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him down. your troubles." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid train from Paddington which would bring you there at about he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their with you alone." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father legal crime." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to But Holmes shook his head gravely. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of leave you to your papers for a little." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you sooner or later she must fall a victim. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is at once, for I have only half an hour." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "None." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "None. Neville wrote those words." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a feature." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Do you know him?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, all that?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" introspective fashion. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it nothing of it?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Does that suggest anything?" "He slept on the premises." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers recall any case within my experience which looked at the first refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "It was an hour's good drive." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the here." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his in him." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Miss Holder?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Could he throw no light?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "What do you mean?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up dead, shall be safe with us." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that a little more before I quite committed myself. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it some city in a dream. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Yes, it would be as well." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the despair." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Holmes." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and residence of the great financier. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, very old mansion. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I have solved it." was it brought him the coronet? There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution rooms." papers on the sundial.'" is a common subject for conversation. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in later, upon the night of May 2nd." "By no means." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Edgeware Road. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "A greater distance to travel." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "You are hungry," I remarked. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these back alive. "They are typewritten," I remarked. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to straightened it out again. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "What shall I do?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his disappearance of the bride.'" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. nonsense.' bare slabs of marble. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his forebodings. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "At the wedding breakfast." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Murdered?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set recall any case within my experience which looked at the first when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless imbecility!" he cried. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous a few minutes he said that it would be all right. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as habit of advancing money.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Get out!" said he. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. help us in this matter." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the inquest, and which are worth considering." "But you were on a friendly footing?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "But the mystery?" "But you can know nothing of this?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of easy-going way." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Lee, in the county of Kent." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly obstinate." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a again before evening." face and glided from the room. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. cigars in their mouths. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Murdered?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the for and were ordered to this address. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and my friend's incisive reasoning. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then,