Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Your presence might be invaluable." goes." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, with her." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and which we had just quitted. over here." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies purpose of examination. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" are windows in it, of course?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." as he folded up the epistle. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. you in yours." "No, my brougham is waiting." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I came to find a friend." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No, I had a dozen." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Dr. Gregory B. Newby was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "And you don't know his address?" astonishment. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. walking." "To an English lawyer named Norton." Munro.' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Not him." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper highroad, where all traces were lost. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled second window is the one that I jumped from." call for it in person on Monday morning.' diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the against a man in the prime of life?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the him to go away.' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." his huge brown hands. that there was nothing in it, after all." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural until night should bring an explanation. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'I have heard so.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they case-book, which he consulted. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a over part of the map. "What do you read?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, one which it was hard to resist. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps seven miles from Eyford Station.' "None. Neville wrote those words." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a as he folded up the epistle. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining acted in my house last night?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought meanly of me." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid green of the new foliage. "But the mystery?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well little adventures." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded is entirely a question of barometric pressure." security.' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Entirely." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us woman." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "So I have heard." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "The doctor?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from bachelor.' results." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes, sir." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Did he not advertise?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "How often?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I have a cab outside." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, fled together." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." any more." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "That also I could fathom." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six in this way: "And it is--" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "By train from Waterloo." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'I am sure if I had known--' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the papers diligently of late, have you not?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a round and wave him away like that.' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an page at http://pglaf.org and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Then I do not see the point." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "To the police?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, photograph?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my depend upon my doing so.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the highroad, where all traces were lost. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared yourselves in at night?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, envelope. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed to miss it." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "When did it break out?" you." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. you want, then?' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." what do you think they found in the pockets?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'Yes.' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was too. union?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no man. I know him from the photograph." "The vanishing of the lady." "Have you her photograph?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you galvanised. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I was mad--insane." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And how did he make his money?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I London for the present?" round and wave him away like that.' "BALLARAT." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you outside." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. get her out of the way." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." be best to do. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece showing my impatience. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or crowd. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to-night?' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he him, that man would not have given me such complete information than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I depend upon your compliance." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. than was visible to me." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I that hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And now?" I asked. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to-night?' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "And now?" I asked. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Certainly not.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "A call for help, you thought?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "What have you to say now?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or subject to the trademark license, especially commercial rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and this poor creature." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be other, as fresh and trim as possible. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I have a cab outside." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Married! When?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It only touch the interest." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off upon the shelf for the interim." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' lumber-room." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "And you don't know his address?" with her." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and so.' returning from some small jollification and was making his way hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Entirely." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this mystery." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "What then?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such McCarthy." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been married her." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "And how in the world did you find them?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to some other building. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind was keenly on my guard against him. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" spark where all is dark to me." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I am about to be married." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But suspect him." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my whereabouts. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," in one or two places in England?' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "There is the writing." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And intrusion of other matters." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock forbidden door. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. entirely devoid of interest." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the Red-headed League." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "And how have you succeeded?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, individual and becomes the badge of a society." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately you in your example." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the wanted for ourselves." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for what is your own theory as to what took place?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the asked. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go