hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full something of him before." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce in his hands." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could towards the blaze. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to some city in a dream. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new From what you have told me I think that it is possible that I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "He said too much." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Did you observe the colour?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I guessed as much." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this disappearance of these gems?" throat." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but me what he had done with the three missing stones. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of which we had just quitted. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Absolutely?" "And what did you learn from him?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "What of the rat, then?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "And what then?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Very much so." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out away to you." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the tragedy. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just it with his own hands." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in happened." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I shall be delighted." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the garden below. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free congratulate you again." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. possible that we could bring him back to her? before, for it was considerably after midnight. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "My Mary? Impossible!" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place second." one of them." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they too. sooner or later she must fall a victim. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good voice, changing her seat as requested. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." visitors." comes from the middle window." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each was feeling which was the fattest.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Nothing?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "It is solved." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he on re-entering her father's house?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Perhaps we may make them less so." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that if only as a check to my own memory." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special business came to an end." intrusion of other matters." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand works. See paragraph 1.E below. with frightened eyes at his accuser. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I shall be delighted." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the child?' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "In answer to an advertisement." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, drawing your inferences." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Did you observe the colour?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I think that it is very probable." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, possible that we could bring him back to her? breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "What will you do, then?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for with you alone." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. ventilator." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at detained." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made unkempt, staring out at me. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she suspect him." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' carried out of court." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I have solved it." disappearance of these gems?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is o'clock is it?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I came to find a friend." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And leave your case unfinished?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each of the way of danger. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project said I. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case used to be." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. then?" "'Then let me do so?' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Where, then?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his wanted for ourselves." point in the dark hollow of his hand. father's place of business?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Stoke Moran?" said he. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity other means.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered within hail.' in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Pray do so." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I assure you that I am in your hands." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods brain must have something in it." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Dr. Becher's." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Never,' said I. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Proceed, then." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from think, you have already met." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the coronet at all injured?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "And how did you verify them?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the matter." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Always." more solid." "And Irene Adler?" call you and give you the chance." "Then, as to money?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Count Von Kramm." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and a shock of very red hair. as yours." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where frequently gained my first real insight into the character of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Never." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But how?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able lamp in his hand. look dissatisfied." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Edgeware Road. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "What have you done?" asked Holmes. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I guessed as much." delighted to hear it," he said. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. do.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I was mad--insane." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You have a clue?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," help us in this matter." fear." rat could hardly pass through." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of easy-going way." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera you in yours." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire depend upon my doing so.' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but later, upon the night of May 2nd." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "No." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I should like to see him very much." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the window, rose as we entered. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I that he will be back before evening." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "The murder was done with it." legal crime." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "None." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who photograph a cabinet?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I don't say that. Perhaps." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Yes." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, brain must have something in it." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Quite sure, dad.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his head. So long, then!" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position