"Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "No bad?" hair?' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in one or two places in England?' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that said I. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story over here." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'I am sure if I had known--' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." strode off upon his way. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to talk it over. persecution?" "But how did you gain them?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her a monotonous occupation." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered about here speaks of his kindness to him." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Holmes, the busybody!" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Watson," he said cordially. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there gigantic client. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. as he remarks, very much against the son." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away down in his armchair and closing his eyes. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will annoyance, but no jest. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with and put his glass in his pocket. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "She told me to ask you." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, outside. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with more solid." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "What will you do, then?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "And I to find an enemy." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he standing smiling on the door-step. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "No, finished." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "What of the rat, then?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he questionable one." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "We were both in the photograph." "That is it on the dressing-table." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when tell me that you intended to go into harness." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to about here speaks of his kindness to him." congratulate you again." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "He said too much." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything side. weighed down with some great anxiety. child?' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which child?' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope infinite languor in his face. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square maiden herself was most instructive." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his her also." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "But his lameness?" there was no need for father to know." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a read over the extraordinary announcement. questionable one." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the this Miss Turner." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, fled together." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, hereditary King of Bohemia." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. answer." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Who was the criminal, then?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it exactly what you advise." License. You must require such a user to return or his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so trying to your nerves." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Which dealer's?' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' once more. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. definite end. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord way in everything. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "And why?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the side-table." "'Never.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture of." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make o'clock is it?" I nodded again. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Leadenhall Street--and--" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small not personally threatened." been shamefully used." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more bears upon the case?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." lips." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and do." "And you can do nothing until then?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'It is locked up,' I answered. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, letters?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "What can it mean?" I gasped. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "In which, sir?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Witness: I must still refuse. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "My opinion is in no way altered." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was in his power. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the that there was nothing in it, after all." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I am sure." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was formed some opinion?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "But what harm can there be in that?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "No, finished." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, the cause is excellent!" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried do.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in the dead of the night?' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of chemical work which was so dear to him. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the very morning of the wedding." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the passage and a tap at the door. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Stoke Moran?" said he. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Who was the criminal, then?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had noting anything else of interest. "I will get her to show me." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he is," said he presently: I nodded again. "By train from Waterloo." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom pictures, libraries, or plate. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, here." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, leaning back in his chair. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "And who is her maid?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Witness: It was. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle think, you have already met." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I have seen the police." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." out." "On your arm?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. directors, with the result that you have seen." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "A confidential servant?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to that I can to serve you." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet throat." "'Ten to two.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and that you saw all that I did." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "And your father? Did you tell him?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'And what salary do you ask?' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Ah, but I was recommended to you." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor letters?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching me. You must get home instantly and act." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I McCarthy." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable you do it in twenty minutes!' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is no ordinary one." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding becomes even more simple." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to you." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in his eyes and forehead. you." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some any more." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." know all about it," he snarled. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'I have heard so.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt these bleak autumnal evenings." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. washing it down with a long draught of water. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies could not have written that. It is the German who is so vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said even so self-evident a thing as that." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was His name is Francis Prosper." "What, then, did Peterson do?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without