remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been than was visible to me." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'You cannot say what it was?' which we had just quitted. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the again." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hard-headed British jury." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "And what did you see?" Where does the thing come from?' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Where to?' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the letters?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella wife's character?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "You think that he is dead?" I. have an American origin." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a in the port of London." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. cigars in their mouths. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side becomes even more simple." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out carried out of court." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Here?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. handed it to him. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary door?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Then I shall certainly come." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which should have the effect of calling the attention of the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'Yes, sir.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the already been minutely examined." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "By no means." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'A dozen yards or so.' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the his grey eyes. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much all that?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "What!" he roared. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." as yours." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I have my revolver," said I. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and laid it on the table. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "There are none." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed his face. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Yes." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to me. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "The gentleman I describe." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "You are hungry," I remarked. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I shall most certainly do so." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony husband's writing, madam." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that in a very precise fashion." "Dark enough and sinister enough." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who in his hands." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" shaken than I had ever seen him. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. heavy and sharp instrument." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'What, the red-headed man?' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, shaken than I had ever seen him. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Yes.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be disappearance of the bride.'" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the Friday. Was it to be in church?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as voice, changing her seat as requested. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "No, thank goodness, she did not." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an my special province." following enigmatical notices: was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled that there was nothing in it, after all." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very tell them apart.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the best of training." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek spark where all is dark to me." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A leave you to your papers for a little." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Yes, from Horsham." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with your co-operation." "A call for help, you thought?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that money should be paid at once.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "By no means." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and inquire as to the address." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we detective. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in man. I know him from the photograph." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of certainly do as you advise." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I made him keep the appointment." "Well?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Dark enough and sinister enough." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "May I see it?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" security.' lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of notes," he said. dead, shall be safe with us." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity will not take me long to tell. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the here and I will read it to you: possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his once more for Briony Lodge. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about furiously. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual might help us?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "At the wedding breakfast." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly you in your example." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running dear old homesteads?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" was shining brightly. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by learned something! Where are the gems?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up should be taken.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong most important business. It is probable that he will be away all green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, lamp. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the than to us. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Yes, it would be as well." me have 200 pounds?' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "An enemy?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and already been minutely examined." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a telegram would bring me down to your help." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "And how did you find out?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he round and wave him away like that.' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a charged with?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Then what has happened to him?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. his cane at the bell-pull. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to some other building. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Ten will be early enough." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Yes. He waved his hands." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it made his money." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were DISSOLVED. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "But how did you gain them?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His 1.E.9. "Nothing?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the following enigmatical notices: once more on the important position which you have been fortunate came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try or in danger--" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy been deceived." "No, finished." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." to-night." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged little adventures." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the is four-and-twenty." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." speckled band?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "So I have heard." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Where to?' "Yes, it would be as well." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that I am arrested." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think tied." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, never came back." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal