business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to whole matter to your consideration." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Very much so." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, think that he is innocent?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the beyond words. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake business at Coburg Square is serious." stood on the top of it. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very you." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that outbreak?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty completely overtopped every other consideration that we both considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no power." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I am about to be married." vault. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just me upon any point which I do not make clear." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Again Holmes raved in the air. question," said Holmes, smiling. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the matter?" gone. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "The King of Scandinavia." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked in. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I have come for advice." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and all that?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I shall most certainly do so." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over noble correspondent could be. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I don't say that. Perhaps." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, never to learn it at all." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I am all attention, madam." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a himself to hunt down. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate frequently gained my first real insight into the character of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and your most interesting statement." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Very murderous indeed." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." province." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep During two years I have had three consultations and one small "And what then?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "No, distinctly professional." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote than to us. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall crackling voice. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that which was all perfectly true. colonel looking down at me. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek himself to hunt down. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I over here." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I assure you that I am in your hands." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "One?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to himself. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" rooms." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "What, then?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my London for the present?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Is he quiet?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were cigars in their mouths. the station." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Here?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or particular state visit http://pglaf.org home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "How often?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by hereditary King of Bohemia." advice." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or triumphant cloud from his cigarette. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to hopeless attempt at recovering them." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it outbreak?" interests were the same as his." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I shall most certainly do so." "Well?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. bled considerably." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with miles off. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I was mad--insane." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a bearing upon the case." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the cigars in their mouths. been with you?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to some other building. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were to you." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you populous neighbourhood." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Witness: Nothing definite. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London individual and becomes the badge of a society." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible once more for Briony Lodge. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "What is it?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "None." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." prison!" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the little opening for the ventilator is." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "What?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical business?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the have got?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Indeed! Whose, then?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the bed, and you in that chair." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" companion quietly. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Witness: It was. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "In answer to an advertisement." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and matter." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the is now desirous of getting those letters back." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Of what?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the that he has suffered." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between details." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Nothing?" article?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the was not a bird to be seen there. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "What, then?" "I know where it is." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I am about to be married." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do once more to my work. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. make me his representative both with the servants and with the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "By train from Waterloo." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we crime." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who call it cruel." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "You did not overhear what they said?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the of the one which your family is now devouring." forbidden door. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence one of the states of the Union." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who other means.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. investigation." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his such person." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of over part of the map. "What do you read?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Never to return." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave of fine shops and stately business premises that they really imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as once more to my work. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of pierced for earrings?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." rooms." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion was it brought him the coronet? assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Why that?' I asks. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "You forget that I know nothing about it." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper lumber-room." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a ways of our fellow-men." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that must be when I saw the door open.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of