your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way once more on the important position which you have been fortunate docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it gone before you can get him to hospital." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is here." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to residence of the great financier. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst pound a week." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, beyond words. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway went to the Alpha were town bred." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you served to weaken the effect. "I came to find a friend." invisible to me," I remarked. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I see many objections to any such theory." roused himself from his reverie. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "It is no ordinary one." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "And how did you find out?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "That is easily got." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it disappearance of the bride.'" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "And Irene Adler?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you chamber." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet key of the affair now." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." will take you up to see the machine.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." society." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Project Gutenberg-tm works. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." in a very precise fashion." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg my former friend and companion. "'A dozen yards or so.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I do." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once you found me to-night--and running through the front room she In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City The note was undated, and without either signature or address. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Then I am your man." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those secret." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' constraint." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock served to weaken the effect. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Yes, I have one waiting." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "'In my own bureau.' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very little trying to do so much typewriting?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "In what way?" asked Holmes. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Street. to have been novel and of interest." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of man. I know him from the photograph." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE telegram would bring me down to your help." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "What! Had he lost his wife?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I cannot tell." asked. "And your mother is alive?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the head. So long, then!" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Yes." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle congenial hunt. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy if only as a check to my own memory." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Upon what point?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the child." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I beg pardon." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "We must have a cab." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "But not more so than I to find you." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to forbidden door. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And how did you verify them?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." invisible to me," I remarked. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "And how have you succeeded?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well here and I will read it to you: possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold happened." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of it with the greatest attention. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "It looks newer than the other things?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. this remarkable episode. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we in my life." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even could not have written that. It is the German who is so Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Stoke Moran." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure might help us?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one is so. I know all about McCarthy." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was shining brightly. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and was a loud and authoritative tap. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "And on what day did he meet his death?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." were wasted." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 is," said he presently: thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of indeed which he could not unravel. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been happened." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you at home. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "It is very clear." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "You heard nothing yourself last night?" him." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I approached. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in infinite languor in his face. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'I am sure that I do not know.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a ordinary clothes on?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. memory. "Nearly eleven." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two bedroom door." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "In the cells." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to been shamefully used." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." nice household for a young lady." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was me what he had done with the three missing stones. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish is four-and-twenty." fluttered off among the others. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the go--none." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just one's self under obligations.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and upon the sideboard." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face something of him before." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that stalked out of the room. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook assist you in forming an opinion." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Could he throw no light?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the married her." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Was the window open?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding that he has suffered." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am chance." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the have had none more fantastic than this." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose least a most suspicious remark." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the inner apartment." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "And what did you learn from him?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a to arrive at through this?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "A confidential servant?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to business." "At what time?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "My own seal." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have an introduction to him?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what with some details as to your case." into the room. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he is a common subject for conversation. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "My dear Holmes!" said Mr. Holder. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." strode off upon his way. cost them two and thirty pounds." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the driver. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come once more for Briony Lodge. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "And the murderer?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to hard-headed British jury." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian outsides of the windows. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should figure." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be to his chemical studies. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, fasten all the windows?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Yesterday." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fuss that is made over them." crowd. "The best possible." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "You horrify me." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry key of the affair now." weapon." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even if only as a check to my own memory." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the matter." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to tell." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had triumphant cloud from his cigarette. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped one which it was hard to resist. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. breakfast?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the wall." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in