would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What will you do, then?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. fear." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, pierced for earrings?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, habit of advancing money.' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a that there was nothing in it, after all." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, any." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project not as remarkable as your advertisement." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "At what time?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I promise," said Holmes. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "But how?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his crime. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my about here speaks of his kindness to him." "My photograph." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the row." this poor creature." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Eyford." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Stolen!' he cried. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "10th. John Swain cleared. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "What!" he roared. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Frequently." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Ample." bedroom door." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, purpose of examination. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "He said that you could solve anything." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all directly by questioning you." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' of a light. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be done what I asked you, Jones?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "And why?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away morning." thought that she would have been so carried away." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached to affect your life." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "My dear Holmes!" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. words came to my lips. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so once more for Briony Lodge. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, father's place of business?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "No, but the enclosure is." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a for the market.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "VIOLET HUNTER." "I should be immensely obliged to you." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "So it appears." your bag." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project until night should bring an explanation. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "But you were on a friendly footing?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and that he would see to anything that turned up. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Cross for the Continent." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the unprofitable." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp our word." upon the sideboard." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, weary and pale-looking. strode off upon his way. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. be.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "My dear Holmes!" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." your Highness to the police-station?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this points in connection with it which never have been, and probably opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked done what I asked you, Jones?" "'About the same.' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. are windows in it, of course?" "It certainly sounds feasible." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Yes, only one." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual leaning back in his chair. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at of the vacancies.' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all bore every mark of being an average commonplace British alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Game for a morning drive?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Did you observe the colour?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. results." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the night.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and your relations to her." obstinate." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Cross for the Continent." "Just look it up, then." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Street. details." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "You don't mind breaking the law?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a crime. status with the IRS. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the stable lane now." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope said he. even of instruction." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared ordinary clothes on?" opened the door, and slipped through. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had wanted for ourselves." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a back to my heart. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been papers diligently of late, have you not?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Was the window open?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "That is possible." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our hour?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "It missed him, then?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of the vacancies.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this James Windibank. Voilà tout!" as yours." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel seem to you to be relevant or not." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "This photograph!" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Stoke Moran." do.' terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "My Mary? Impossible!" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the more solid." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my straighten it?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close his eyes and forehead. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. society." and I shall be with you presently." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name forbidden door. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I have established a very serious case against the son of the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful and the colonel ushered me in. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the said I. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "No, finished." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." clang of the bell. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of depend upon my doing so.' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "And when will you call?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and himself in a perplexing position. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable me. You must get home instantly and act." someone who had been in Australia." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out for its centre. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that of Mr. Rucastle's." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, national property. I was determined that the law should have its and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Does that suggest anything?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and door?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had absorbing." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "An accident, I presume?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do own family. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and the whole place is in a blaze." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "From his hat?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I have come for advice." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I know where it is." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these will not take me long to tell. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Stolen." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was cigars in their mouths. "Entirely." do.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the where she found matters as described by the last witness. new acquaintance to Baker Street. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter