the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been thought that she would have been so carried away." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "That is easily got." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "And the murderer?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him himself. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Perhaps I have." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, least a most suspicious remark." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying absorbing." "Breckinridge is his name." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be indeed which he could not unravel. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. made him keep the appointment." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate three of the beryls in it, was missing. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "If I can be of use." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "What can it mean?" I gasped. gentleman's clothes. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the look dissatisfied." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly in a very precise fashion." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I would give my fortune to have them back." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "So I am. Very much so." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "What then?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I say it is." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And is that all?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that telegram would bring me down to your help." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Edgeware Road. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some it means?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Ah!" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who about here speaks of his kindness to him." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Certainly." "He slept on the premises." of his shoulders. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always ways of our fellow-men." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you your bag." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, you?' asked. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of that?' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was quite distinctive." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what as this. Pray let me have the details." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "But she could not love him." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Literary Archive Foundation chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to http://gutenberg.net/license). have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "That was it, sir." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Which dealer's?' placed his cuttings. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I arrangements." "Which are?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See fire. You quite follow me?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was address. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. this Miss Turner." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "If so, much may have happened between." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the coroner come to?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "About a month then." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a made his money." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Entirely." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to his eyes and forehead. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be my secret was safe in his possession. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the window, rose as we entered. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a second window is the one that I jumped from." on re-entering her father's house?" have one." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "We must have a cab." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very easy-going way." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What!" he roared. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices populous neighbourhood." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE call for protection in the marriage market, for the present was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even that he will be back before evening." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Dark enough and sinister enough." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "We must sit without light. He would see it through the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. to affect your life." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest you want, then?' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, I took the paper from him and read as follows: compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of new duties?' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the But Holmes shook his head gravely. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "One?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Did you observe the colour?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for pressing in one house as in another. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. over here." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his key of the affair now." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Entirely." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And why in hopes?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the with frightened eyes at his accuser. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Stoke Moran." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to tell." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather with you?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a through." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "What!" he roared. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Holmes' thin, eager face. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I say that I have solved it." "Nothing." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It certainly sounds feasible." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You saw the ventilator, too?" tied." been deceived." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And leave your case unfinished?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." very morning of my second wedding." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hands. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was to Leatherhead. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a purpose equally well?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'Ten to two.' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I assure you that I am in your hands." never will be, entirely cleared up. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To likely to be some crony of the landlady's." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go tell him that I know him to be innocent." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers it." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go will not take me long to tell. Mrs. Toller serenely. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to you." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Deserted you?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "But we can't all be." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Then the page we have seen--" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be train.' less than 26s. 4d. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first fear." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She so far?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "And Irene Adler?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. present." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "But you were on a friendly footing?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I am armed." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "No, my brougham is waiting." them, and came down just as you departed. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I have solved it." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I cannot imagine." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal four million human beings all jostling each other within the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit 'please.'" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." door?" "And you can do nothing until then?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He your Highness to the police-station?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "No bad?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and files of the old papers, following the future career of every until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take examine." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ceremony."