is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we true." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her have not had my rubber." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. me have 200 pounds?' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it have an American origin." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting that I am arrested." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "The gentleman I describe." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so to take care of herself." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some to take care of herself." this Miss Turner." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a your own bird, so if you wish--" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a indeed happy." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. signal between you and your father? sit on the left-hand side of the driver." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'Is 4 pounds a week.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at must compliment you." "Eh? What was that?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" gentleman's clothes. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." followed. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous when you have done it." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch at home. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with of receipt of the work. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying was a perfect sample of the class. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little article?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Yes, he did." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes, it was twisted." minor matters until to-morrow." "'And the work?' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. character. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And how did you verify them?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, to change my dress. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "And now?" He raised his hand. crime." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to formed some opinion?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'There is a drive, then?' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his which it had come upon my father." went to the Alpha were town bred." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his next day. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily hands. "To the police?" once more. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the heavily into it. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "What, then?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a washing it down with a long draught of water. be there in time for your coming." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "How did he come?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so o'clock is it?" "An enemy?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had hour?' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'And what salary do you ask?' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a some city in a dream. it right.' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of cigars in the box." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I see no marks." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable what I may call a really hard day's work." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I promise," said Holmes. "You have compromised yourself seriously." fact, we may call it conclusive." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the shoulder. you." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He This is what he says: what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'Yes, sir.' locked." the one as in the other." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "But you can know nothing of this?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, breakfast." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "But he might be a bachelor." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always imbecility!" he cried. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such disturbance in my wife." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Does that suggest anything?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Why, what do you mean?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "So I have heard." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "What is it?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the little opening for the ventilator is." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back completely overtopped every other consideration that we both facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." feature." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It certainly sounds feasible." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" jewels which you have stolen?' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick tassel actually lying upon the pillow. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "You are hungry," I remarked. did not hear it also.' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have case before our client came into the room." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss nonsense.' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact forebodings. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a garden below. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or not within a twentieth part of the market price." there in twenty minutes." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'And what are they worth?' I asked. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "And what then?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Pray do so." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' be sorry for having acted so harshly." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Pray do so." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You have compromised yourself seriously." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I views." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of it with the greatest attention. in the hope of finding them." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that, and I came down." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; your only hope of safety." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, such person." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Absolutely?" as the one I chose?' more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon digesting their breakfasts at home." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with will he say when he returns?" fat-encircled eyes. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. even so self-evident a thing as that." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'Very good.' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the bed, and you in that chair." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your notes," he said. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but new acquaintance to Baker Street. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life becomes even more simple." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "How did he come?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting one of them." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the stones. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the business." "'About the same.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. way in." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and entirely devoid of interest." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been McCarthy." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the one as in the other." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was is," said he presently: "'Stolen!' he cried. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the memory. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and no precautions can guard against." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. following enigmatical notices: "'What would be the hours?' I asked. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bedroom door." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such already been minutely examined." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and a shock of very red hair. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an The events in question occurred in the early days of my Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a strong and stiff." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Nothing." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "And how?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Where did he live, then?" "Not I." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to me. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp