It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should round with crates and massive boxes. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. of Mr. Rucastle's." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have will he say when he returns?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Yes." hour." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with residence of the great financier. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three charged with?" "But what is it you wish?" asked. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and no precautions can guard against." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. unprofitable." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed present." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his ourselves in the office." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "At what time?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Henry Baker is a member." "I am sure." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "No good news?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a kind enough to tell me what I should do." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. appointment with me for six o'clock?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Again Holmes raved in the air. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the quick march!" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if floor. chance." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, of the way of danger. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Leave Paddington by the 11:15." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office both be extremely obliged.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case murdered man." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, skylight. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." see a sister of mine apply for." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my there when the Rucastles went away." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Then how many are there?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a good hundred miles off by now." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good bedroom door." to Leatherhead. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction you." "'It is locked up,' I answered. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Then you may be so with me." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "No." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "What will you do, then?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Then I shall certainly come." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You have carte blanche." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Why, what do you mean?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round pictures, libraries, or plate. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any do." "You have the photograph?" all that?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Yes." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between thin, with a long, sharp nose?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies maid will bring up your coffee." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Upon what point?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the best of training." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I cannot tell." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the a monotonous occupation." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at four million human beings all jostling each other within the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of late." in a friendly supper." over here." way in everything. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the paper in the air. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I cannot tell." "'I have heard so.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and the whole place is in a blaze." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads chemical work which was so dear to him. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, as this. Pray let me have the details." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us green of the new foliage. chance." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You will not go there first?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H what I may call a really hard day's work." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Holmes' face clouded over. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Did you become engaged then?" I nodded again. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I think that it is very probable." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into exactly what you advise." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "That also I could fathom." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and to-morrow." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Tired-looking or fresh?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are appeared upon the scene." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Nearly eleven." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes, at the mines." to surprise her." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. to Leatherhead. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I cannot tell." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost minor matters until to-morrow." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It certainly sounds feasible." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Not social, then?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "And your father? Did you tell him?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you absolutely follow my advice in every respect." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a chance at all." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able singular points about the case. What did the police think of the weapon." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first bachelor.' head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. golden eyeglasses. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Do you go out much in society?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most wall." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" congenial hunt. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all meanly of me." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a excitement. second." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, something of him before." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the tragedy. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the there has been an enclosure here!" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "And why in hopes?" "'Oh, no.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Then the page we have seen--" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at horse could go." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed lectures into a series of tales." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and thought that she would have been so carried away." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "How are you getting on?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he manager. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "No bad?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some girl said." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you up this clue while it is still hot." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked may have an influence upon European history." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of note-paper. It read in this fashion: remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Very. But will he see it?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which this Miss Turner." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "This photograph!" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, gives a meaning to it." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "There is the writing." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor once more on the important position which you have been fortunate friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "You will not go there first?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I came to find a friend." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Very truly yours, quickly through a disagreeable task. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "An enemy?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a bell. Holmes whistled. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "What do you make of that, Watson?" to me. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains mystery." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must me. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a death." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the room while you explain this matter?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town singular points about the case. What did the police think of the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect fatally injured? the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I am all attention, madam." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, weary and pale-looking. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter quickly through a disagreeable task. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the driver. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "He is dead," cried several voices. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Who by?" matter over." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, introspective fashion. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly