"That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk assist you in forming an opinion." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'And the work?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter careless servant girl?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from best detective that ever lived. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "None. Neville wrote those words." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do London for the present?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the general public were present, then?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the inquest, and which are worth considering." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Then, as to money?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever most interesting one." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that leaning back in his chair. once more for Briony Lodge. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He one of the states of the Union." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "None." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the obstinate." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "On your arm?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Chief Executive and Director wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save will he say when he returns?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. from the brougham. rat could hardly pass through." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was investigation." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "That sounds a little paradoxical." "One of the highest in England." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that you saw all that I did." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Chief Executive and Director waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and disappearance of these gems?" even so self-evident a thing as that." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew are, I think, all that we need." "Yes, but only for you and me." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I say it is." writing, and yet I know it well." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "VIOLET HUNTER." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the speckled band?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that chambers. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled recall any case within my experience which looked at the first burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Stolen." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is him and tried to hold him back. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Because he was handy and would come cheap." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I would pay ten." "At the wedding breakfast." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Then I do not see the point." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent signal between you and your father? will take you up to see the machine.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "What can it mean?" I gasped. second window is the one that I jumped from." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Never." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Holmes' face clouded over. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely coat-tails." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" present." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Dirty?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, breakfast?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A him, that man would not have given me such complete information suddenly upon us." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I that threaten you." unprofitable." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no is," said he presently: shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much a room. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and wait." "Yes, it was twisted." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It country, and eventually married, without anyone having a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an upon a handsome competence. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to about. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Then, as to money?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' memory. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view placed his cuttings. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel is entirely a question of barometric pressure." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect James Windibank. Voilà tout!" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once gone before you can get him to hospital." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "But you can know nothing of this?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus mystery!" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" have accepted such a situation. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." has little to do with my story." time." second." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable was shining brightly. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" at my own good fortune. so.' "And the murderer?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Where could I find him?' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, least a fellow-countryman. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant lamp in his hand. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "At what time?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a it with his own hands." one which it was hard to resist. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no grasp, he hurried from the room. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, in this way: cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Tired-looking or fresh?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "What of the rat, then?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to tackle the facts." of the way of danger. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and the whole place is in a blaze." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an man. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and I was concerned in it." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do had a long day." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "He is dead," cried several voices. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." hand, madam?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue becomes even more simple." bill, which interests me deeply." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed may have an influence upon European history." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, attention." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming my little problems." colour had been driven from his face. "Deserted you?" "Her father is very rich?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And I to find an enemy." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Never." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were signal between you and your father? into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin business at Coburg Square is serious." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "And you can do nothing until then?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate about. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, tension within him. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. rose-bushes. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the footfalls from the street. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Yes." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the criminal. We have already had experience of such." union?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Doctor, of the paper and the date." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I ago." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Her father is very rich?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. became a certainty. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor fasten all the windows?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "No." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want weigh very heavily upon my conscience." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and effective." the driver. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "A confidential servant?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very observed. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Young McCarthy must be got off, however." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager absorbing." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "He said too much." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the stones. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his this unhappy family?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with