"Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Was there a secret marriage?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers weary and pale-looking. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed and glanced through. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I have seen the police." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes already been minutely examined." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon upon the sideboard." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'About the same.' so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and power." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "What! Had he lost his wife?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent photograph?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, existence." opened the door, and slipped through. think that he is innocent?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to go into your room and bar your shutters?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow rooms." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. photograph?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue without a word or a look. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to have been novel and of interest." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You think so, too?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent not fit the lock." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, cigars in the box." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "And who is her maid?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at existence." people in all walks of life. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Absolutely?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down vague figure huddled up in the darkness. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is chambers. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Have you good authority for what you say?" third from London." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what wedding?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." digesting their breakfasts at home." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "My own seal." suspect him." happened." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss already referred to. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'Entirely.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you outside. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to were unconscious?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the bottom.' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of some water from a caraffe. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "My dear Holmes!" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our rooms." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while you want, then?' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in his power. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, discontent upon his features. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it lost his Christmas dinner." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in opportunities to fix the problem. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still easy-going way." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Who by?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Have you it here?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his certainly do as you advise." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "It looks newer than the other things?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'Yes, sir.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "It is half-past ten now." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "In the cells." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of that he has suffered." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the little opening for the ventilator is." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to than was visible to me." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's meant it for the best. that?' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Won't it ring?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. points to suicide?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which of the way of danger. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "She told me to ask you." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." it. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little have an American origin." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, begun to whiten, even as mine has." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until developed." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really daring than any effort of the imagination." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and persecution?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be of the one which your family is now devouring." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still promised to bring home. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Very murderous indeed." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in hour?' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the away into the river." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the station." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his wife has ceased to love him." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this ran thus: mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I am about to be married." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." it with his own hands." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the than was visible to me." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside meanly of me." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Perhaps I have." the running down." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. your billet.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "That sounds a little paradoxical." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And what then?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the date of his supposed suicide." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I will do it." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most comes from the middle window." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I beg pardon." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of with you?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. presume?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Yes." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "On Monday." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these than was visible to me." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to exactly what you advise." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "At half-wages, in fact." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. photograph?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, business." Arthur Conan Doyle state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and no precautions can guard against." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I promise," said Holmes. business matters.' "'Certainly not.' "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him certainly do as you advise." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Miss Holder?" "I don't believe it." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and locked." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And the cigar-holder?" "Then the page we have seen--" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we these bleak autumnal evenings." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your case-book, which he consulted. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." possible that we could bring him back to her? Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner License. You must require such a user to return or "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at him to be an active member of the medical profession." of your young ladies.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the will not take me long to tell. easy-going way." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle electronic works back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'You cannot say what it was?' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I have a cab outside." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Pray continue your narrative." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Was your sister dressed?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "You saw the ventilator, too?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I electronic works brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. together. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Is he quiet?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. not fit the lock." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy light and attacked it." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' sooner or later she must fall a victim. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could to-night?' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself despaired of." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk upon the white wrist. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "But she could not love him." assist you in forming an opinion." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Entirely.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the have an American origin." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once to tackle the facts." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, man. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I this as likely?" that you wished to speak to me?' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would upon an income of about 60 pounds." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened astonishment. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "My dear Holmes!" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This posted to-day." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came question. "By train from Waterloo." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "But you can know nothing of this?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save happened." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of entirely lost his self-respect." annoyance, but no jest. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the dangers which encompass me." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was appeared upon the scene." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other future lives." "Certainly." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest