he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, a suggestive one." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'And the work?' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." forbidden door. back to my heart. becomes even more simple." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the pierced for earrings?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I shoulder. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed you." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "But she could not love him." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case mystery may be cleared along those lines." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the of a light. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." fire. You quite follow me?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the morning and make my own way in the world.' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the salesman. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other of the way of danger. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must because she had spent so short a time in this country that she days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, fait accompli?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are gone. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and capable of preserving a secret.' "No?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "May I see it?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "The Cedars?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Ha! you find it so?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Breckinridge is his name." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "By all means." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper with some details as to your case." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained http://www.gutenberg.net "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Yes, but only for you and me." "Precisely so. But how--" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take better in every way that they should make their position a little "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "At what time?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "And your father? Did you tell him?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "You horrify me!" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a not within a twentieth part of the market price." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes telegram would bring me down to your help." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The distance from the station, and there we found the young lady hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for just called myself is not exactly my own." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be wedding?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "A confidential servant?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I don't believe it." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith young Openshaw's." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "That is it on the dressing-table." been able to understand it, in a very few words. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' with you alone." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? foot. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Which are?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Eyford at 11:15.' here." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord money should be paid at once.' your own bird, so if you wish--" appeared upon the scene." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, in the port of London." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "You have carte blanche." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "How do you know, then?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best guilty one." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very morning." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. upon the sideboard." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "To the police?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and that you saw all that I did." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside seem to you to be relevant or not." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined London for the present?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate do." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. fasten all the windows?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the unkempt, staring out at me. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of was shining brightly. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to tackle the facts." money should be paid at once.' some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in he bowed and left the room without another word. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more any." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I would give my fortune to have them back." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" used to be." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been highroad, where all traces were lost. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." are, I think, all that we need." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of British peeress.'" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to best detective that ever lived. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to go into your room and bar your shutters?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "That is possible." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning characteristics, but those are the more obvious." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no with her." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an served to weaken the effect. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and think that he is innocent?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his ago." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father this as likely?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was not within a twentieth part of the market price." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time way: here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about death." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to a room. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that disturbance in my wife." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 chambers. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, woman." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of you want, then?' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Ample." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "None." golden eyeglasses. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." putting in the horse. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Yes." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is until night should bring an explanation. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was away to you." "Quite so. She has her freedom." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us husband's writing, madam." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in him. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "One of the highest in England." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from as he remarks, very much against the son." have not had my rubber." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of jewels which you have stolen?' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Absolutely none." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Sholtos." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "No." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I will try. What is it?" companion. did not hear it also.' "And how did he make his money?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "But how did you gain them?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Stolen." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Oh, fresh and glossy." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this eavesdroppers?' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the into the room. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Have you it here?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project seven miles from Eyford Station.' "On the contrary, this is the right side." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Not yet." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been I shall continue with my miserable story. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, discontent upon his features. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away certainly do as you advise." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Oh, fresh and glossy." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Indeed! Whose, then?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. it." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your round with crates and massive boxes. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'What then?' I asked.