and inquire as to the address." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and golden eyeglasses. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Yes, the wine-cellar." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "By no means." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, province." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Pray do so." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "In heaven's name, what for?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "We have tried and failed." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy vanished into the darkness. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City make me his representative both with the servants and with the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? weapon." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are excitement. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I answered that I had not. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." cost them two and thirty pounds." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I cannot as yet see any connection." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge whole matter to your consideration." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Yes, I promise.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt highroad, where all traces were lost. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I bell. Holmes whistled. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, putting in the horse. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "And now?" He raised his hand. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have right! Sit down and let us talk it over." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Doctor, of the paper and the date." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being points in connection with it which never have been, and probably he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not particular state visit http://pglaf.org France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the house with me." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of over part of the map. "What do you read?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the one's self under obligations.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "The murder was done with it." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on roused himself from his reverie. speckled band?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he his fortune, and I went back to pa. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "The best possible." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "He is still with you, I presume?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Ten will be early enough." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Young McCarthy must be got off, however." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate figure." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must derbies." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of records." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" undoubtedly my uncle's." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "The gentleman I describe." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, throat." "It looks newer than the other things?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But she could not love him." married her." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout notes," he said. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. who was a member of your goose club." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been interests were the same as his." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a writers could invent nothing more crude." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, bird I ate is country bred." was it brought him the coronet? Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or approach us with offers to donate. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Dark enough and sinister enough." companion quietly. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no soul! here is her carriage at the door." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "But of what society?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," bled considerably." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project comes from the middle window." mysterious end." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two sneer upon his pale face. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Of what day?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the inner apartment." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the awaited us upon the table. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback burst out into a roar of laughter. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the http://www.gutenberg.net "You have the photograph?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! face and glided from the room. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the together. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new occurred." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I don't believe it." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months how narrow had been my escape. returned to France?" "Yes, sir." "Certainly." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "And how?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I am still in the dark." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark even of instruction." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes, sir." "My opinion is in no way altered." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away remarked. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a lamp in his hand. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss my former friend and companion. of Fenchurch Street." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Certainly." "Then I am your man." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the ceiling. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Of what day?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "You don't mind breaking the law?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "The rest you will leave in our hands." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to tackle the facts." "You have a clue?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It intrusion of other matters." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of ago." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "It came here." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported question you as to those details which seem to me to be most I am not easy in my mind about them." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and off." careless servant girl?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "When did she vanish, then?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself system of imprisonment?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Certainly,' I answered. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the throat." train.' "I am following you closely," I answered. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I say that I have solved it." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. cost them two and thirty pounds." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. a room. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. has little to do with my story." Street. of them has the shutters up.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Precisely." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." arrangements." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Where is it, then?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was envelope. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to fled together." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would never came back." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "But you were on a friendly footing?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone mystery." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making face and glided from the room. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "VIOLET HUNTER." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There through." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and down. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I way in." prepare for the new role I have to play." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." it with his own hands." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a reach." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "It missed him, then?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "And how in the world did you find them?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was unprofitable." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a friend's singular character. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. mysterious business." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely II. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I up this clue while it is still hot." secret." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind amused." "Really! You surprise me." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman done what I asked you, Jones?" "And you don't know his address?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'And what salary do you ask?' has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from least a most suspicious remark." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman I am not easy in my mind about them."