Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Here?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "'Where could I find him?' new acquaintance to Baker Street. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "At what time?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little sparkled upon his finger. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of enough to aid us in our search." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "He might." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or meanly of me." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, certainly not very gracious." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Doctor, of the paper and the date." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." business?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are behind me. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to noise which awoke you from your sleep?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon my secret was safe in his possession. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Entirely." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the happened." DISSOLVED. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp that you saw all that I did." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "One?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life matter." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was always that they were such commands as a lady might with thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with bird of prey. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 was lame." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I never have." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged unkempt, staring out at me. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Witness: Nothing definite. guilty one." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. will he say when he returns?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. be best to do. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Perhaps I have." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed carried out of court." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "We have tried and failed." guilty one." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Yes, the wine-cellar." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I am about to be married." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice national property. I was determined that the law should have its At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Married! When?" "Holmes, the busybody!" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant without a word or a look. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the beg that you will break it off." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "To an English lawyer named Norton." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of pound a week." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more of the way of danger. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the salesman. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy rooms." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." colour had been driven from his face. that he will be back before evening." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get villagers almost as much as their master. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." only touch the interest." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of note-paper. It read in this fashion: behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his she used." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but conversation I have gathered that they have been married about despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. became a certainty. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." business at Coburg Square is serious." "What then?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Where did he live, then?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would go back?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Perhaps I have." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free what I may call a really hard day's work." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in with some details as to your case." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other signal between you and your father? lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his forehead. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Have you her photograph?" fasten all the windows?" said I. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "And your father? Did you tell him?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Upon what point?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." astonishment. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Then I do not see the point." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "This photograph!" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very him, that man would not have given me such complete information the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "That you are never beaten." "It's nothing of the kind." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have sooner or later she must fall a victim. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to despaired of." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Really! You surprise me." affection." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "One of his hands." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "On the contrary, this is the right side." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do burst out into a roar of laughter. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass me. You must get home instantly and act." "Why? What do you mean?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Holmes' room. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried chamber." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and looked back. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. maid will bring up your coffee." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Eyford at 11:15.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose chance." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by one else, I think." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." evidence," I remarked. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "What do you mean?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. had picked up in the wood. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the room while you explain this matter?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "But how will you look?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have leaning back in his chair. me." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I morning." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Yes, certainly." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Street. have one." "My Mary? Impossible!" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a call for it in person on Monday morning.' direction." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "And now?" I asked. as he remarks, very much against the son." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered conceal it?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other entirely lost his self-respect." "'I have heard so.' events than those which have happened in my own family." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "But of what society?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'I have already given you my word.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood them, and came down just as you departed. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Yes, only one." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she upon the sideboard." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Absolutely?" golden eyeglasses. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "It must be recovered." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be here and I will read it to you: unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the general public were present, then?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "None. Neville wrote those words." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Absolutely?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to said I. gone. "I don't believe it." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "What! a murderous attack?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me,