"How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You were travelling in the States?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but awaited us upon the table. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." that, and I came down." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not salesman. of Mr. Rucastle's." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. whether it answered to the description of any of their "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Why did you beat the pavement?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one thought that she would have been so carried away." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "He is still with you, I presume?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no distinguish the words: sneer upon his pale face. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And now?" I asked. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that I may have something better before very many minutes are man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, entirely devoid of interest." situation." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both crowd. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From signal between you and your father? assist you in forming an opinion." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul begun to whiten, even as mine has." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Yes." answer." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "But of what society?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she dear old homesteads?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "It must be recovered." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it taking in every detail of the apartment. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'What, the red-headed man?' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and down. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "But I am all in the dark." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded himself in a perplexing position. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. question. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of Mr. Rucastle's." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "No, my brougham is waiting." "Will you bet, then?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "No bad?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as article?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Absolutely?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of indiscretion." "Witness: Nothing definite. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon disappearance of these gems?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It happened." thought that she would have been so carried away." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "No, thank goodness, she did not." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I don't say that. Perhaps." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had morning." "But you can know nothing of this?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "But what is it you wish?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." even so self-evident a thing as that." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to indeed happy." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "You think so, too?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried experiences." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to yards of it?' without a word or a look. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the cheerful." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "It's nothing of the kind." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." for securing the situation." the ceiling. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very digesting their breakfasts at home." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an his forehead." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Holmes' room. "Certainly." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope head. So long, then!" empty. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "What then?" October 9, 1890. constraint." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Yesterday." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still nothing with him." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would you understand?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "What?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with instituted." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we strength of mind to control. were unconscious?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to tell." http://www.gutenberg.net "Very murderous indeed." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "How about poison?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "So it appears." outsides of the windows. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone companion. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine recover the gem." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very The events in question occurred in the early days of my hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "You forget that I know nothing about it." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "My dear Holmes!" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as beyond words. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have strength of mind to control. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "He said that you could solve anything." discontent upon his features. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ to me. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Cross for the Continent." "In heaven's name, what for?" wedding?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her case-book, which he consulted. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." even so self-evident a thing as that." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with secret." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Miss Holder?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "By all means." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I would then never go into court at all." detained." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public I am not easy in my mind about them." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between I held the little printed slip to the light. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if it." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" with you alone." one's self under obligations.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT children over to America with him, so that I found myself without is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "How many? I don't know." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had these bleak autumnal evenings." "And now?" I asked. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, voice, changing her seat as requested. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the stable lane now." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of views." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots this remarkable episode. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but which we had just quitted. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not lamp. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It came here." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I know where it is." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to straightened it out again. corner of the building. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed hopeless attempt at recovering them." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "And what did you learn from him?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "So I am. Very much so." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the iron safe, which he closed upon it. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I have a cab outside." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her that he has suffered." sufficient punishment." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the little opening for the ventilator is." "No, distinctly professional." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I papers." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in had died away into the silence from which it rose. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Certainly." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you maid will bring up your coffee." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap fishes. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "He might." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "But you can know nothing of this?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will than to us. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were gigantic client. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "But I am all in the dark." man. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then people don't know." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Then the page we have seen--" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical been anything against him. He had for years been known as a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper