resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door likely to be some crony of the landlady's." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had seem to you to be relevant or not." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Ah!" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock hereditary King of Bohemia." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Now, then, what's the last entry?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of for its centre. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" to-night?" I asked. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "We were both in the photograph." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed careless servant girl?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off of Fenchurch Street." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Pray do so." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before possible that we could bring him back to her? not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant III. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." on re-entering her father's house?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Will you go?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Quite so. She has her freedom." see me here to avoid scandal." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "But who is he?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know there in twenty minutes." "Eh? What was that?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our detained." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the coroner come to?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "What then?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a should be taken.' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, astonishment. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And I say east," said my patient. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best so.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "He is still with you, I presume?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 plantation.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every examination of the premises, but without finding anything which no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Oh, yes, easily." think that he is innocent?" "But how?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what weary and pale-looking. exactly what you advise." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and guilty one." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the warnings." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a lips." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Stolen!' he cried. "Really! You surprise me." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "The Cedars?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As there was no need for father to know." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a forehead. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, mystery may be cleared along those lines." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "None." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when next day. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my The police have openly confessed that they can at present make seem to you to be relevant or not." to-night." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the just called myself is not exactly my own." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He carried out of court." but preventing her from injuring another. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I am armed." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the very morning of the wedding." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to made his money." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the little opening for the ventilator is." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'I have heard so.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our gigantic client. in this way: prepare for the new role I have to play." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Certainly, madam." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Not him." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and him and tried to hold him back. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger whatever might befall. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "My last client of the sort was a king." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I This is what he says: were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "And when will you call?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked mystery." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, that I am arrested." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The call the police, let the police find what they can.' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I have hopes." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the peculiar to him. will take you up to see the machine.' yet." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations nonsense.' hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was for the market.' married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose was it brought him the coronet? the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord she to prove their authenticity?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his said he at last. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "No, I had a dozen." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight spark where all is dark to me." again, where I was soon asleep. really the only notable feature about the thing." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with take the flies, but not before." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of to-night?" I asked. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are compunction about shooting them down." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the you in yours." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried felt?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Yes." window when the police appeared." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "No. What a strange idea!" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he always that they were such commands as a lady might with adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag horse could go." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Did you become engaged then?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "BALLARAT." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Where does the thing come from?' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Holmes, the busybody!" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just might have a private word with us. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. fire. You quite follow me?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "You will not go there first?" that he has suffered." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we place of silver." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" newspaper selections." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the Assizes." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I sneer upon his pale face. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to empty. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my kindly on the shoulder. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "And what did you see?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, husband's writing, madam." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little from you?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. business." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that papers on the sundial.'" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler yards of it?' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the lamp in his hand. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "At half-wages, in fact." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Why, it's a dummy," said he. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Pope's Court. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents foot. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and third from London." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "But who is he?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "That was it, sir." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting walking." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? long narrative. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' disappearance of these gems?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life one's self under obligations.' to-night?' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Witness: I must still refuse. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps,