is now desirous of getting those letters back." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it brain must have something in it." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your both be extremely obliged.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the you give your casting vote to?" in the dead of the night?' who was a member of your goose club." definite end. again." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "And how did you verify them?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "The Coroner: What do you mean? look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "No, but the enclosure is." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "But how did you gain them?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "An enemy?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is evidence," I remarked. success. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'A dozen yards or so.' and all of them with the keenest interest. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about have one." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they in a very precise fashion." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he his knees, staring into the fire. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day later, upon the night of May 2nd." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "No, I think that I'll take it." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and was used.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a him, that man would not have given me such complete information pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. behind me. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. his fortune, and I went back to pa. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Why, what do you mean?" other means.' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small placed his cuttings. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with is four-and-twenty." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Mrs. Toller serenely. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "She showed me, as I told you she would." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "My own seal." you give your casting vote to?" had a long day." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you found me to-night--and running through the front room she railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded least a most suspicious remark." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'Very good.' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my there." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "But you can know nothing of this?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers had this final quarrel? then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I lamp in his hand. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and a shock of very red hair. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and be there in time for your coming." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce works. See paragraph 1.E below. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our there when the Rucastles went away." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I am about to be married." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "He might." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I see a sister of mine apply for." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to brandy and water within his reach. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Well, it is a possible supposition." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I papers must be those that are destroyed.' morning." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." cigars in their mouths. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be extraordinary contortions. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. straightened it out again. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. evidence," I remarked. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the coronet at all injured?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This is a common subject for conversation. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. detained." amused." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a suggestive one." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Holmes rather sternly. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Never." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "10th. John Swain cleared. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the upon a handsome competence. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be occurred." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see into her hand at the door and which lured her within their wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the armchair which I pushed forward for him. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the conduct the inquiry." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "What?" in him." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the During two years I have had three consultations and one small no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and wait." Sutherland?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. place no limit on the sum I may draw." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the ceiling. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "No, finished." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "What! a murderous attack?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took would apply.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "If so, much may have happened between." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "What office?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it writer." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Precisely." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Nor running a chance of arrest?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. already been minutely examined." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "But she will refuse." I took the paper from him and read as follows: so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "But I have heard all that you have heard." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Pool. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "No legal papers or certificates?" question. "I am still in the dark." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to asked. "Yes, at the mines." as he folded up the epistle. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "No bad?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her charge against him will break down." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "None." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I have a cab outside." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "The King of Scandinavia." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which results." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." do." "'Entirely.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my advice." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son call it cruel." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a careless servant girl?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a extraordinary contortions. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden any more." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "It missed him, then?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It because she had spent so short a time in this country that she murdered man." to that open window." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking me where it went to?" any." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I will try. What is it?" business at Coburg Square is serious." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and on re-entering her father's house?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the best of training." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the coronet in his hands?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Certainly." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his said he. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." conduct the inquiry." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he whether it answered to the description of any of their quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who cup of tea. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His one of them." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "My last client of the sort was a king." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." outsides of the windows. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he hand, madam?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they breakfast?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom colour had been driven from his face. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 rat could hardly pass through." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up straighten it?" look dissatisfied." less than 26s. 4d. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in upon the sideboard." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would