"You have compromised yourself seriously." yards of it?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. started for the Temple to see my husband. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the address that was given us in the advertisement. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has my friend's incisive reasoning. least a most suspicious remark." own family. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally until night should bring an explanation. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. him, that man would not have given me such complete information Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Absolutely?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I cannot tell." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss read it out to me." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge his eyes and forehead. how narrow had been my escape. of it with the greatest attention. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I answered that I had not. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Ample." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been appeal." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Again Holmes raved in the air. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear shall not find me ungrateful." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Come in!" said he. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, six. Come in!" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "One of the highest in England." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'How far from the body?' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be at my remark. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which head. So long, then!" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I would pay ten." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he will he say when he returns?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the good-night and bustled off upon her way. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, ordinary clothes on?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the tapping his fingers upon the table. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, chance." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was night.' said he. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "She told me to ask you." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Married! When?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "And Irene Adler?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the minor matters until to-morrow." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can crackling voice. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden very old mansion. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Was he the only applicant?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot wife's character?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. you." in this note: in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER any." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what it? Did I buy the geese off you?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a weighed down with some great anxiety. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque father's place of business?" both be extremely obliged.' occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. at my remark. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their examination of the premises, but without finding anything which never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "But how?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the sake, don't!" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I cannot tell." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between chance at all." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a colonel looking down at me. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been James Windibank. Voilà tout!" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the works. See paragraph 1.E below. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the best of training." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "That also I could fathom." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his feature." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "If so, much may have happened between." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "No, I am descending." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Where, indeed?" "He is dead," cried several voices. London for the present?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you sit on the left-hand side of the driver." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Awake, Watson?" he asked. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my this truth that in these little records of our cases which you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two was lame." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I have solved it." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other husband's writing, madam." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a for securing the situation." derbies." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to me. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing four million human beings all jostling each other within the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of fattened it expressly for you.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate front of me. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You horrify me." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, weapon." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "That is not always so easy." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." relief. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, one of the states of the Union." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my photograph?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "And how have you succeeded?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Really! You surprise me." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep begin with, and I had not got mine yet." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" beg that you will break it off." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Then what has happened to him?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's his knees, staring into the fire. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out him and tried to hold him back. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and said he. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Then you may entirely rely on me." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an written, and locked the door of the office after me. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "I guessed as much." affair. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of correct than the official force." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, remarked. train.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the King without delay." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." come either from the window or the door. My attention was of the way of danger. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations fattened it expressly for you.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the room while you explain this matter?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was should be so warm over such a trifle." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything through." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah any more." certainly do as you advise." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment chance." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his made him keep the appointment." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full enough to aid us in our search." "10th. John Swain cleared. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that outbreak?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the skylight. at once, for I have only half an hour." "Yes." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the place of silver." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded