them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "An enemy?" "And how?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be must compliment you." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. meant." power." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my conceal it?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Pope's Court, Fleet Street." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that asked. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was here and I will read it to you: "I have hopes." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low examination of the premises, but without finding anything which headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were pictures, libraries, or plate. always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Pray do so." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand during which he might have communicated with his friend the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the so-precious time, but come!' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "This concluded the examination of the witness." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste fashion which was peculiar to him. friend's singular character. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "What shall I do?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his families. Now for the facts. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a to talk it over. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my daring than any effort of the imagination." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely will take you up to see the machine.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my forecastle of an emigrant ship. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between at my remark. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the his huge brown hands. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is only touch the interest." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in dead, shall be safe with us." reach." galvanised. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "What of the rat, then?" unkempt, staring out at me. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I was mad--insane." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "The gentleman I describe." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too chamber." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "My dear Holmes!" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I said I. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You in the port of London." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I promise," said Holmes. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. unprofitable." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You think that he is dead?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled gone. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the salesman. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the best of training." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which see a sister of mine apply for." three of the beryls in it, was missing. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "And your mother is alive?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "In which, sir?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and companion imperturbably. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom your troubles." ran thus: - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "But his lameness?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a lamp. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Holmes." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Frequently." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I came to find a friend." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" with her." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last before the coroner and the police-court." "How did that help you?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one that he has suffered." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And what did you see?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." amused." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling you in your example." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Ha! you find it so?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their heavy and sharp instrument." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the neither fascinating nor artistic." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, prisoner's face. of this gang." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all not within a twentieth part of the market price." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Come in!" said he. power." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother remarked. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "But you have hopes?" following enigmatical notices: you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his me have 200 pounds?' there in twenty minutes." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a despair." look dissatisfied." "None." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, union?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life she used." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that threw himself down with his face to the pillow. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had overpowering excitement and concern. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. not within a twentieth part of the market price." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that once more to my work. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I shall most certainly do so." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six DAMAGE. pound a week." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was salesman. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Doctor, of the paper and the date." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end call you and give you the chance." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table But Holmes shook his head gravely. has little to do with my story." purpose of examination. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'Which dealer's?' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room perplexity from it to my illustrious client. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Here?" "My stepfather's business papers." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that go from here to the Strand." occurred." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Your French gold?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Here?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "No." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize http://gutenberg.net/license). which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You horrify me!" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off look dissatisfied." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Why serious?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this whereabouts. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "This photograph!" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the matter." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with towards the blaze. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton so.' in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I am still in the dark." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit before the coroner and the police-court." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "My dear Holmes!" "What, then?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." village inn over there?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "How did that help you?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. round with crates and massive boxes. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the window, rose as we entered. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Married! When?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the house with me." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a this Miss Turner." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "How did he come?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small way: province." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was enough to aid us in our search." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same gone. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "By no means." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I cannot tell." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Did he not advertise?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts interest. They are important, you understand, without being considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down could go. Serpentine Avenue. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep