"'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On eavesdroppers?' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "None." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "No." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad been with you?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of coat-tails." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step disturbance in my wife." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." in the dead of the night?' all-comprehensive glances. "Yes, the wine-cellar." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO over here." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as room?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Is he quiet?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. ago." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "What is it, then--a fire?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "No, I had a dozen." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of cheerful." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was straighten it?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me himself to hunt down. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone developed." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Sutherland?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Then I can wait in the next room." power." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had sound at heart." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to following enigmatical notices: would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the man. I know him from the photograph." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "And that is--" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'There is a drive, then?' we went to search for him, face downward in a little What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited morning." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both upon an income of about 60 pounds." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not to Leatherhead. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out take the flies, but not before." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'Yes, it was gone.' on re-entering her father's house?" weary and pale-looking. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Where, then, is my wife?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I shall most certainly do so." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, desk. horse could go." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To photograph a cabinet?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." like that before?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he late!' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. his knees, staring into the fire. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that you for a few hours?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You forget that I know nothing about it." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "This photograph!" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his call it cruel." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "That is possible." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very call the police, let the police find what they can.' could not have written that. It is the German who is so having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the returned to France?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "How did that help you?" page at http://pglaf.org morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which License. You must require such a user to return or "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of his shoulders. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of the way of danger. What do you deduce from it?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Then I can wait in the next room." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Dr. Becher's." "Then he might have called to you?" wedding?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "No." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his room. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that thin legs towards the fire. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her will take you up to see the machine.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want it." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "That was it, sir." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a indeed happy." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I never have." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. four million human beings all jostling each other within the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the date of his supposed suicide." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "How did you deduce the select?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." plantation.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. dear old homesteads?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" or other trace. But how on earth--" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Come in!" said he. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "And why in hopes?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "So I am. Very much so." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone easy-going way." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." not, dad?" she asked. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary enter Dr. Roylott's room." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "And from a noble client?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Then I shall certainly come." "What! a murderous attack?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "At what time?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist there when the Rucastles went away." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I occurred." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will crackling voice. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'I shall certainly be there.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part as he folded up the epistle. true." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and looked back. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. his huge brown hands. go from here to the Strand." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said friend's singular character. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists believe that I should never have any practice at all. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Stolen." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon was already answered. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the ourselves in the office." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we bedroom door." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I roused himself from his reverie. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all more terrible than the truth. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and copied or distributed: the matter." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in he died? and a shock of very red hair. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of note-paper. It read in this fashion: initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and looked back. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some case before our client came into the room." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would you." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles is so. I know all about McCarthy." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two opened a pocket-book and took out a note. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another behind me. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "But to whom?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for country, and eventually married, without anyone having a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the coronet at all injured?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "No good news?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house emerged. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his might help us?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged him. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a is acting for the best. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this been with you?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Countess of Morcar's?" my friend's incisive reasoning. States. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "You have the photograph?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my humiliation." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "And the cigar-holder?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a noting anything else of interest. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which beyond words. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the stones. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us a very grave face. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "What I expected to see." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Where does the thing come from?' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that?' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it right.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." chamber." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his pity, because in other respects you would really have done very drawing your inferences." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I have a cab outside." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "How often?" "And how did he make his money?" one which it was hard to resist. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the station." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier