"There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would just called myself is not exactly my own." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Heh?' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Certainly." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I am in hopes that she does." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old chamber." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock in my life." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to suspect him." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "They are typewritten," I remarked. details." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Yes." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Was he the only applicant?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I approached. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. row." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "It surprised me." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "By train from Waterloo." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were sneer upon his pale face. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major weighed down with some great anxiety. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yes." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first strode off upon his way. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told woman who has had her own way to make in the world. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the King without delay." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "What will you say?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to father's young wife. room had already been engaged for us. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. in this note: fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." colour had been driven from his face. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I License. You must require such a user to return or The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' business came to an end." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I am following you closely," I answered. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I came to find a friend." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a with her." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Yes, it was gone.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "What, then, did Peterson do?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. morning." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common dates and names. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers ready to-morrow?' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their certainly not very gracious." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a your bag." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. to-night." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." for the market.' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of you do it in twenty minutes!' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And what did you learn from him?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. whether it answered to the description of any of their "Was your sister dressed?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his a little more before I quite committed myself. you, my dear young lady?' to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Precisely." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. head. So long, then!" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "But to whom?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Who by?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at forebodings. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Edgeware Road. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "You have it, sir, just as it happened." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from served to weaken the effect. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the went to the Alpha were town bred." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "What, then, did Peterson do?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of he. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I see many objections to any such theory." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Certainly,' I answered. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an have I gained?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Pool. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up on re-entering her father's house?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Pray continue your narrative." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Indeed! Whose, then?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you peculiar to him. "Very. But will he see it?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ been." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining swore that no one else had been in the front room during the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a excitement. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when new duties?' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my forbidden door. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Yes, sir.' infinite languor in his face. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I should wish to." lamp. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and fuss that is made over them." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was III. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking orange pips. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, again before evening." new duties?' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "No, thank goodness, she did not." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For very peculiar words of the dying woman?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One them?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'And the work?' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Yes, I have one waiting." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he The King stared at him in amazement. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I think that it is very probable." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such main points of my analysis." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and one which it was hard to resist. child?' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Ample." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. careless servant girl?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "None." three fields round his house, and there he would take his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with assist you in forming an opinion." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the question," said Holmes, smiling. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There October 9, 1890. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "My private note-paper." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about wife's character?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. nothing with him." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one I. whereabouts. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. interests were the same as his." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to just called myself is not exactly my own." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Certainly not.' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be families. Now for the facts. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he his face which made him a very different person to the round, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even round and wave him away like that.' of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." for its centre. "Was he the only applicant?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining sake, don't!" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his house for five minutes.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them of a light. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the nonsense.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project despair." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am for and were ordered to this address. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly cup of tea. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and it." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this comes from the middle window." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation that?' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "So it appears." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it never will be, entirely cleared up. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Yes, sir.' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "What will you say?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" lectures into a series of tales." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Did you observe the colour?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring fashion which was peculiar to him. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here