companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him memory. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this little trying to do so much typewriting?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable burst out into a roar of laughter. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Young McCarthy must be got off, however." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But your client--" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I should like to see him very much." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Perhaps I have." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice vault. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Eh? What was that?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Deserted you?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a name is different." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may out." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did never to learn it at all." "No. What a strange idea!" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "And the murderer?" "No." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I do." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That results." acted in my house last night?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were McCarthy." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. putting in the horse. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried should be taken.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "You have compromised yourself seriously." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be into the bag, and made for the door. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me know all about it," he snarled. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "The King of Scandinavia." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "That is easily got." business." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. read over the extraordinary announcement. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. upon the sideboard." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a six. Come in!" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to events than those which have happened in my own family." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Street. "Will you go?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sneer upon his pale face. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'And what salary do you ask?' "Deserted you?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You were travelling in the States?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at roused himself from his reverie. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he it." delirious. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the events than those which have happened in my own family." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the copied or distributed: There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "But your client--" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. reach." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short fasten all the windows?" "Yes, sir." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I it with his own hands." chair. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in was a lad." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Thank you. And your address?" touch that coronet?' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to have that photograph." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Nothing?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't whole matter to your consideration." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Perhaps I have." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I never have." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; were unconscious?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray people don't know." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "We have tried and failed." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It is possible." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you I held the little printed slip to the light. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended States. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the so-precious time, but come!' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, seven miles from Eyford Station.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "That sounds a little paradoxical." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." from the brougham. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "No more words. Get out!" only touch the interest." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and she might be summoned. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "The knees of his trousers." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of that you can jump it.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I say that I have solved it." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the only touch the interest." imbecility!" he cried. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'Yes, it was gone.' there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" his eyes and forehead. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Oh, fresh and glossy." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "A confidential servant?" very morning of my second wedding." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The vanishing of the lady." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "No sign of it?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his allusion to a rat. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I have my revolver," said I. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to keep the flames under. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Holmes, the busybody!" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called soul! here is her carriage at the door." allusion to a rat. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Tired-looking or fresh?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a mysterious end." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds gbnewby@pglaf.org know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I have a cab outside." "Where did you address your letters, then?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Never.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic to-morrow." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "The best possible." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "One of the highest in England." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I will do it." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and or other trace. But how on earth--" coat-tails." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and into the bag, and made for the door. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' British peeress.'" your room." "And Irene Adler?" depend upon your compliance." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "But who is he?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, with some details as to your case." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Never,' said I. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never distinguish the words: twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be appeared upon the scene." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "If so, much may have happened between." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "And help." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I have seen the police." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled train.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I came to find a friend." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the bottom.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me one of them." power." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to a more successful conclusion." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Get out!" said he. 1.F. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Stolen." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Holmes' thin, eager face. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship round and wave him away like that.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Yes, it would be as well." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what him and tried to hold him back. clanging. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled have been better. It is all right." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to do." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall any more." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. strong and stiff." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Then, as to money?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "No, distinctly professional." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled amused." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. drove away. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "My photograph." and the whole place is in a blaze." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "And I to find an enemy." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "But it has twice been burgled." woven round him. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "But how?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "And sit in the dark?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It's nothing of the kind." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "My dear Holmes!" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was call the police, let the police find what they can.' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Ten to two.' the coronet at all injured?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an detained." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in interested in these little problems, and since you are good one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master I am not easy in my mind about them." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which