Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the dates and names. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Yes." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the so far?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another posted to-day." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he she has been waylaid. There has been no result." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I approach us with offers to donate. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to villagers almost as much as their master. new acquaintance to Baker Street. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of indeed which he could not unravel. IS "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I have seen the police." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my nights." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. bell. Holmes whistled. "Then you may entirely rely on me." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a in the port of London." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get dead, shall be safe with us." "'Why that?' I asks. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something do.' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he ourselves in the office." case before our client came into the room." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital yards of it?' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes, sir." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." down. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his should be so warm over such a trifle." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I in this note: "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the death." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry you." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. fat-encircled eyes. would then never go into court at all." observed. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Is purely nominal.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old might have a private word with us. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "The decline of his fortunes, then?" your co-operation." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Yes, only one." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came meant it for the best. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Yes." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes." me. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good brandy and water within his reach. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of main points of my analysis." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the paper in the air. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses possible that we could bring him back to her? hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom carried out of court." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable definite end. whole matter to your consideration." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I have come for advice." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their there has been an enclosure here!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Dark enough and sinister enough." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Where, indeed?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful heavy and sharp instrument." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Yes.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. train.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs tell them apart.' to talk it over. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well forbidden door. "No." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has cost them two and thirty pounds." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from it? Did I buy the geese off you?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." bearing upon the case." knowledge of the world." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded before, for it was considerably after midnight. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared ways of our fellow-men." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that to a light-house. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of your billet.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I her also." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer long narrative. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. to me. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." that you wished to speak to me?' imbecility!" he cried. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Ten will be early enough." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. in my life." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Very good.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Miss Holder?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Then I do not see the point." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a suggestive one." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "What can you not understand?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Not him." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his correct than the official force." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the ashen face. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout me, and I could not think that his explanation of the beg that you will break it off." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you that I can to serve you." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement trying to your nerves." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It surprised me." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the been shamefully used." Count Von Kramm." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely help us in this matter." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Has he come with you to-night?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Yes, it would be as well." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." The events in question occurred in the early days of my observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and congratulate you again." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the gone before you can get him to hospital." asked. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." retorted upon me, and I on you." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Certainly." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not companion. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it intrusion of other matters." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I particular state visit http://pglaf.org Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at look upon these things in a different way." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the more solid." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between this man was intellectual?" bachelor.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which that I am arrested." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Come in!" said he. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small call you and give you the chance." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time feature." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. one of the states of the Union." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon you." "Not in a good cause." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I cannot say that I have." ventilator." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Eyford at 11:15.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the what these perils are?" people don't know." "Precisely so. But how--" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes pressing in one house as in another. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying sake, don't!" voice. habit of advancing money.' would then never go into court at all." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a trying to your nerves." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a outside. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'I am sure that I do not know.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Who was the criminal, then?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily future lives." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "You were travelling in the States?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have prisoner's face. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round now. It seems that there had been some informality about their whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. quickly through a disagreeable task. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is to-night?' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and are, I think, all that we need." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, you, my dear young lady?' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Yes, from Horsham." emerged. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if