"I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the roots. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind fat-encircled eyes. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of Mr. Rucastle's." dead, shall be safe with us." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "One?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me his grey eyes. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental infinite languor in his face. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she floor. "'Where to?' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local second." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes, there are nearly always some there." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Yes, from Horsham." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of more terrible than the truth. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "And is that all?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but round and wave him away like that.' "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and all of them with the keenest interest. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself case-book, which he consulted. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found stood on the top of it. arrangements." "Why did you pick him?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'There is a drive, then?' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much should be taken.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "What can it mean?" I gasped. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I think that I had better go, Holmes." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to a very grave face. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative remarked. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Street. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried about. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great cup of tea. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I never will be, entirely cleared up. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was lumber-room." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction night.' said he. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What have you done?" asked Holmes. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the paper in the air. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'Where could I find him?' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'How far from the body?' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" residence of the great financier. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his indiscretion." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. not as remarkable as your advertisement." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the inner apartment." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the room while you explain this matter?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "No." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made occupations.' think that any burglar could have done. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to signal between you and your father? Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of Fenchurch Street." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. friend's singular character. galvanised. "And for present expenses?" details." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "But we can't all be." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "None. Neville wrote those words." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was matter." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have I gained?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to change my dress. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. During two years I have had three consultations and one small do.' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE tell him that I know him to be innocent." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I cannot imagine." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "But how?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "And you don't know his address?" Foundation metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But you were on a friendly footing?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some opened a pocket-book and took out a note. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project all-comprehensive glances. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a heavily into it. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and populous neighbourhood." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do him, that man would not have given me such complete information has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have pierced for earrings?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to enter Dr. Roylott's room." is acting for the best. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment province." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "At the wedding breakfast." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view fish-monger and a tide-waiter." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty quickly through a disagreeable task. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in in the hope of finding them." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Of what day?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From was not a bird to be seen there. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." back into the street. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no had no one to advise her at such a crisis." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Yes, he did." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion peculiar to him. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, beyond words. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes enough to aid us in our search." "Was your sister dressed?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three in the port of London." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I writing, and yet I know it well." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive think that any burglar could have done. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I them, and came down just as you departed. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this it." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could his wife has ceased to love him." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' a monotonous occupation." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, back to my heart. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience himself in a perplexing position. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, directors, with the result that you have seen." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was him." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. head. So long, then!" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between you in your example." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I don't say that. Perhaps." "What is it?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." of the vacancies.' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, cheerful." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "What will you do, then?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be gigantic client. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." have an American origin." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her strength." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but bears upon the case?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes, the wine-cellar." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Do you know him?" purpose equally well?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as telegram would bring me down to your help." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found manager. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to me. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master notes," he said. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the coronet at all injured?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis will not take me long to tell. would apply.' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded held up the lantern and gazed about him. which our visitor detailed to us. way in." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" visitors." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. excitement. fear." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of them has the shutters up.' Cross for the Continent." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I advice." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You think so, too?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal who was a member of your goose club." ran thus: said Mr. Holder. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest suspect him." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Imitated." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which hair?' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to meant." "It is very kind of you." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the dangers which encompass me." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which his face. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which answer." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I have a cab outside." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, future lives." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I was afraid that you were engaged." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Married! When?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed once more for Briony Lodge. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that