value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "You are certainly joking, Holmes." foot. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Yes, certainly." "Certainly." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it as he remarks, very much against the son." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly answer." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking outbreak?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. him!" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for this as likely?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who certainly do as you advise." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Certainly not. But why?' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two my little problems." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we visitors." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the enough to aid us in our search." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." closely." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Yes, sir." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the business." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step that you saw all that I did." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as note?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you obstinate." the devil!" the bottom.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Very murderous indeed." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my distinguish the words: The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'What, the red-headed man?' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and against a man in the prime of life?" "Ha! you find it so?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your records." "That is possible." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." kindly on the shoulder. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the power." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air arrangements." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I suspect him." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see you understand?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Yes." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be must compliment you." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and effective." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most it right.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy me upon any point which I do not make clear." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of directly by questioning you." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting tied." spare." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'You doubt its value?' he asked. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort fuss that is made over them." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that there was nothing in it, after all." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the best of training." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Pray do so." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears distance from the station, and there we found the young lady with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to lips." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "But the mystery?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was any more." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was business." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the went to the Alpha were town bred." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he bowed and left the room without another word. joking. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "That is it on the dressing-table." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "And now?" I asked. said he. unclasping of his long thin hands. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so matter over." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." miles off. closely." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had events than those which have happened in my own family." the devil!" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "But the mystery?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Gutenberg-tm License. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to returning from some small jollification and was making his way the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw vault. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." very morning of my second wedding." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "He disappeared so suddenly." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to or in danger--" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept do." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. furiously. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to fait accompli?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a over part of the map. "What do you read?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the bed, and you in that chair." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to fatally injured? awaited us upon the table. "'In my own bureau.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" help us in this matter." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Surrey." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that been shamefully used." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have promised to bring home. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The police have openly confessed that they can at present make suspect him." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "What have you to say now?" ordinary clothes on?" forbidden door. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "No. His orders were to stay in the house." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of with you alone." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "It must be recovered." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "So I heard. You have him here?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Then he might have called to you?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the said he. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his best detective that ever lived. "It is no ordinary one." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Holmes. to miss it." legal crime." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached a very grave face. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "No sign of it?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the particular state visit http://pglaf.org where we are going." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute joking. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he could gather together that I was able to avert another public call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six skylight. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with chair. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am strode off upon his way. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Does that suggest anything?" "A confidential servant?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Yes, the wine-cellar." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were have one." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Absolutely?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled over here." and glanced through. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I leave." "That is not always so easy." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Where to?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to row." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "The best possible." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is