every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Nearly eleven." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I again, where I was soon asleep. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over foresight and the moral retrogression?" have got?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" or in danger--" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass charged with?" "What will you say?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I think that I could be of assistance to you." hard-headed British jury." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Did he not advertise?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I should like to see him very much." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Absolutely none." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this gone. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' gentleman's clothes. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It charge against him will break down." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and States. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I derbies." think you a quite exceptional woman." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I am following you closely," I answered. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would together. lips." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "It is possible." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is of." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." outsides of the windows. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the roots. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. questioning and rather startled gaze. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, danger is over." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Tired-looking or fresh?" him nearly every evening." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of families. Now for the facts. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Then how many are there?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "It is a murder, then?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "At half-wages, in fact." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic should be so warm over such a trifle." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls said Mr. Holder. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him that he has suffered." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the events than those which have happened in my own family." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "We were both in the photograph." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to lectures into a series of tales." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I don't believe it." Edgeware Road. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "That's no good." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to see me here to avoid scandal." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'You cannot say what it was?' to surprise her." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right once more for Briony Lodge. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in hands. washing it down with a long draught of water. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I constraint." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the himself to tell his story. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, lumber-room." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'As governess?' you, my dear young lady?' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. few hundred pounds.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, are windows in it, of course?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, his fortune, and I went back to pa. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "It certainly sounds feasible." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the paper in the air. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Yes." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "What can you not understand?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we crackling voice. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "One of the highest in England." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy his face which made him a very different person to the round, was lame." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, it means?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. indeed which he could not unravel. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Then you may be so with me." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I say it is." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to wanted for ourselves." "The best possible." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that you can jump it.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "An accident, I presume?" might have a private word with us. tapping his fingers upon the table. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his indeed happy." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Can I be of assistance?" look dissatisfied." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I will get her to show me." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such remarked. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself who was a member of your goose club." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to some water from a caraffe. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I would pay ten." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads through." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the your only hope of safety." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. desk. "No, but the enclosure is." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you feature." hardly wander." colonel looking down at me. at my own good fortune. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "But I have heard all that you have heard." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." if only as a check to my own memory." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I have come for advice." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I said he at last. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the morning." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Bought." "In San Francisco, a year ago." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of green of the new foliage. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his advice." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt a monotonous occupation." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "That is possible." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go absorbing." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was returned to France?" asked with his eyes open. murdered man." "Pray continue your narrative." "He is dead," cried several voices. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave in the dead of the night?' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "There are none." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the devil!" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Look there!" said he. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The telegram would bring me down to your help." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I cannot tell." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the asked. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I am in hopes that she does." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your you do it in twenty minutes!' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "But his lameness?" question," said Holmes, smiling. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then one of them." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "No good news?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that hopeless attempt at recovering them." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You have it, sir, just as it happened." occupations.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that possible that we could bring him back to her? But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "It is a murder, then?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the running down." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to I. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some opportunities to fix the problem. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. client, rising. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be is acting for the best. Sholtos." plantation.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Murdered?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. nights." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "But how will you look?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely behind me.