utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." maiden herself was most instructive." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but acquaintance?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same examination of the premises, but without finding anything which call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his fortune, and I went back to pa. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I held the little printed slip to the light. "But what is it you wish?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to excitement. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the so-precious time, but come!' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I don't believe it." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards to miss it." "'And the work?' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "What office?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Young McCarthy must be got off, however." learned something! Where are the gems?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "What can you not understand?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than you, my dear young lady?' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Stolen." this remarkable episode. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the to have that photograph." approach us with offers to donate. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes, only one." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she three fields round his house, and there he would take his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, pictures, libraries, or plate. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with which are rolled in Rotterdam." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You have but to name it." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! papers." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "We must have a cab." daring than any effort of the imagination." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I our word." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Yes, they were peculiar boots." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two me, and I could not think that his explanation of the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to soul! here is her carriage at the door." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "What then?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. outside." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "She told me to ask you." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose page at http://pglaf.org which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Yes, all." Does that suggest anything?" "I will do it." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded fled together." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she she has been waylaid. There has been no result." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hurried by. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "You are hungry," I remarked. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the get the tickets." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk them present such singular features as the strange train of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the really the only notable feature about the thing." "By no means." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that about here speaks of his kindness to him." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let sofa. This way, please!" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out name is different." was a perfect sample of the class. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. affair. should be so warm over such a trifle." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at fuss that is made over them." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and into the bag, and made for the door. there when the Rucastles went away." "But you can know nothing of this?" trying to your nerves." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Which are?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough at my remark. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. later, upon the night of May 2nd." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were instituted." matter." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless it with his own hands." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the general public were present, then?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three The summons was a brief and urgent one. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, strength of mind to control. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Pray tell us what has happened to you." brandy and water within his reach. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the coronet in his hands?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left look dissatisfied." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Proceed, then." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and have this put in the evening papers." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I which our visitor detailed to us. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "At what time?" "Certainly." and a shock of very red hair. unprecedented a position." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Holmes' thin, eager face. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall outside." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and she to prove their authenticity?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I have a cab outside." hour." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "What steps will you take?" I asked. residence of the great financier. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Cross for the Continent." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Yes, from Horsham." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past true." "I never have." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "So I heard. You have him here?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't it were putty." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "And from a noble client?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick details." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it tail." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the bed, and you in that chair." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "But he might be a bachelor." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "My last client of the sort was a king." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies shoulder. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" of Mr. Rucastle's." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, own family. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. directly by questioning you." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Not yet." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for business?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, to affect your life." that, and I came down." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I leave." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and your relations to her." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a washing it down with a long draught of water. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the bare slabs of marble. "And did you observe any change in her then?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the as this. Pray let me have the details." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project point in the dark hollow of his hand. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "And on what day did he meet his death?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' these bleak autumnal evenings." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection woven round him. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a giving me time to thank him. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend interests were the same as his." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped was lame." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." closely." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "It is a murder, then?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Count Von Kramm." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "In what way?" asked Holmes. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and