interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social least a fellow-countryman. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have that I am arrested." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this before, for it was considerably after midnight. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "That was it, sir." plantation.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I would give my fortune to have them back." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Then you may entirely rely on me." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, mysterious business." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in way: "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my most important business. It is probable that he will be away all importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'Yes, sir.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On excitement. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that know all about it," he snarled. him nearly every evening." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No, my brougham is waiting." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "A greater distance to travel." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and wait." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of my special province." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Tired-looking or fresh?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which whether it answered to the description of any of their see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the developed." "I think it very unlikely." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for a little more before I quite committed myself. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "My last client of the sort was a king." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that occurred." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a one of the states of the Union." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press written. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And when will you call?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet even so self-evident a thing as that." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and effective." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of heavy and sharp instrument." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn in a friendly supper." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'What, the red-headed man?' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. before the coroner and the police-court." "The doctor?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Pray do so." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in mysterious end." But Holmes shook his head gravely. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring discontent upon his features. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a tied." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one man. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a mystery." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. throat." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My nothing of it?" of your young ladies.' Henry Baker is a member." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Yes, from Horsham." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much indeed which he could not unravel. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "It looks newer than the other things?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Always." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell status with the IRS. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set This is what he says: "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'There is a drive, then?' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back entirely lost his self-respect." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the very morning of the wedding." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "It must be recovered." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small because she had spent so short a time in this country that she empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two of your young ladies.' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "When did it break out?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of could gather together that I was able to avert another public as noiselessly as she had come. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my dear old homesteads?" the warnings." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the whole matter to your consideration." upon a handsome competence. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly beg that you will break it off." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "How on earth--" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and business matters.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little confronted him. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "So I heard. You have him here?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Gutenberg-tm License. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not arrested. You then--" wall." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler your troubles." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon done what I asked you, Jones?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I noting anything else of interest. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'I am sure if I had known--' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was companion. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Gutenberg-tm License. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. respectable self." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I am sure." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there at once, for I have only half an hour." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that I am arrested." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second interest. They are important, you understand, without being "That is unusual in a young girl." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sentimental considerations in the background which would induce which should have the effect of calling the attention of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his is four-and-twenty." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the wall." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The you came in." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "How did you deduce the select?" as he folded up the epistle. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "And you can do nothing until then?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a tension within him. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his have one." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Surrey." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the best detective that ever lived. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Breckinridge is his name." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the inner apartment." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress quickly through a disagreeable task. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. appeared upon the scene." "And how have you succeeded?" room. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in occurred." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left once more for Briony Lodge. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Then, how do you know?" late!' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this not personally threatened." careless servant girl?" get her out of the way." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the little opening for the ventilator is." as he remarks, very much against the son." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's page at http://pglaf.org "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and morning." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Absolutely?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. DISSOLVED. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "No, finished." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his sooner or later she must fall a victim. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'What then?' I asked. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand tapping his fingers upon the table. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand will he say when he returns?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "How did you deduce the select?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call my little problems." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort security.' house for five minutes.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "When did she vanish, then?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night lamp. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes pictures, libraries, or plate. this unhappy family?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his bill, which interests me deeply." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. desk. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large key turn in the lock." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter charge against him will break down." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Why did you pick him?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the together. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists.