Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in him." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Of what?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "The rest you will leave in our hands." strode off upon his way. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you villagers almost as much as their master. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" you do it in twenty minutes!' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm for its centre. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the my room." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'What then?' I asked. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I will try. What is it?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And how?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and is so. I know all about McCarthy." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "BALLARAT." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my intrusion of other matters." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the room while you explain this matter?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his my room." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to least a fellow-countryman. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a indeed which he could not unravel. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "How did you deduce the select?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He past. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It goes to the housekeeper's room." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the roots. away into the river." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "10th. John Swain cleared. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united dear old homesteads?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Yes." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Did you become engaged then?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'I have heard so.' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all he died? Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." memory. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You have a clue?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "One?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I never have." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "And from a noble client?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been forecastle of an emigrant ship. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight in this note: other lovers by making love himself." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the started for the Temple to see my husband. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." depend upon my doing so.' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "My photograph." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "How did he come?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me beyond words. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Have you her photograph?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or see a sister of mine apply for." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been introspective fashion. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest green of the new foliage. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "No." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique be best to do. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had ill-usage at the hands of fortune. there when the Rucastles went away." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "So I heard. You have him here?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Yes, I have one waiting." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all presented which may be striking and bizarre without being from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey back into the street. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, approach us with offers to donate. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I eavesdroppers?' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water McCarthy's innocence. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At appointment with me for six o'clock?" stepfather?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office is," said he presently: "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would 'I should be able to look after that for you.' is acting for the best. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and inquire as to the address." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, my secret was safe in his possession. "Have you her photograph?" this as likely?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Sutherland. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that sparkled upon his finger. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The over part of the map. "What do you read?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet hand, madam?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But he might be a bachelor." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never that I am arrested." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and shall probably return to London by the evening train." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he writing, and yet I know it well." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for matter over." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made derbies." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "No, but the enclosure is." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It missed him, then?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to views." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "But the mystery?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Precisely." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of a monotonous occupation." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a lost his Christmas dinner." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my heavy and sharp instrument." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who said he. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "So I am. Very much so." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Frequently." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of think you a quite exceptional woman." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which directors, with the result that you have seen." Doctor, of the paper and the date." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a monotonous occupation." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. for its centre. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but out." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with a good hundred miles off by now." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "That is possible." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "No. What a strange idea!" I am not easy in my mind about them." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. danger is over." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "My last client of the sort was a king." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before hardly wander." works. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They been deceived." him." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. advice." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind not come at once?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban giving me time to thank him. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a are, and they are waiting for us." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after people in all walks of life. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution suddenly upon us." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "The knees of his trousers." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her returning from some small jollification and was making his way people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to strong reason behind." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Serpentine Avenue. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul his face. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to purpose equally well?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "But what harm can there be in that?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of know that the truth is known." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 papers must be those that are destroyed.' in his hands." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." http://gutenberg.net/license). "I promise," said Holmes. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "But you were on a friendly footing?" returned to France?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing think you a quite exceptional woman." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" reach." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm had this final quarrel? sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the exactly what you advise." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite she has been waylaid. There has been no result." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was