"Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and that you wished to speak to me?' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "How do you know, then?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." lamp in his hand. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the matter." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I came to find a friend." to arrive at through this?" "And it is--" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Pope's Court, Fleet Street." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "It is very kind of you." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'In my own bureau.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely felt?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "No." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to way in." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. you." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I became a certainty. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the nice household for a young lady." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I am following you closely," I answered. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to little adventures." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" started for the Temple to see my husband. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Henry Baker is a member." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'And the work?' "By all means." "It is very kind of you." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous pity, because in other respects you would really have done very that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them electronic works "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'And the work?' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice open." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the stable lane now." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." DISSOLVED. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change which our visitor detailed to us. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and more solid." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us not fit the lock." the loss of it. "Which are?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea hard-headed British jury." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I weigh very heavily upon my conscience." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. past. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a unkempt, staring out at me. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Entirely." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. all?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "But to whom?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I this man was intellectual?" one of them." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "But what harm can there be in that?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. I leave." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "None." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, his forehead." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Yes, at the mines." room?" spare." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could your sleep?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for from the brougham. "Witness: Nothing definite. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram certainly do as you advise." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any His smile broadened. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Very murderous indeed." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "None. Neville wrote those words." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a extraordinary contortions. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had once more. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal companion quietly. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You were travelling in the States?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in chance." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. as he remarks, very much against the son." throat." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed forehead. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "That's no good." "Eh? What was that?" you came in." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted tightly behind him. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I this as likely?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence row." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" to-night." quick march!" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "How often?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every lumber-room." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by salesman. "Pray continue your narrative." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off to have that photograph." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat criminal. We have already had experience of such." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret kindly on the shoulder. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Stolen." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. back into the street. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have served to weaken the effect. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "And leave your case unfinished?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the McCarthy." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this footfalls from the street. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what see me here to avoid scandal." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and prosperity to your house. Good-night." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." have not had my rubber." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he enough to aid us in our search." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some question. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in gone before you can get him to hospital." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate plantation.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "And why?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "No." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I don't believe it." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average fashion which was peculiar to him. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could digesting their breakfasts at home." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Munro.' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it matter." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is your only hope of safety." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. congratulate you again." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Where did he live, then?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going question you as to those details which seem to me to be most was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "You saw the ventilator, too?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little investigation." "But of what society?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Certainly, madam." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry had formerly been in part my own. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in man. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter sake, don't!" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "And leave your case unfinished?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "She told me to ask you." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common morning." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. most interesting one." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "No, but the enclosure is." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be you want, then?' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the obstinate." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: him and tried to hold him back. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. You want to know what became of those geese?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Then what has happened to him?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "No." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. closing the door. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his official police." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left there has been an enclosure here!" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some down. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the cup of tea. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the married her." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide hurried away. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers