London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which we went to search for him, face downward in a little unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt me have 200 pounds?' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that girl said." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." emerged. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "It is true that I have been generally successful." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of skylight. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no said he at last. served to weaken the effect. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the be there in time for your coming." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Yes, they were peculiar boots." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, him, that man would not have given me such complete information say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his exactly what you advise." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "So I have heard." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Bought." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather third from London." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely may never be exposed to such a temptation." IS was a perfect sample of the class. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so call you and give you the chance." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "At what time?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to your room." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. observed. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "What?" the loss of it. him to be an active member of the medical profession." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I cannot tell." tension within him. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "But how will you look?" to a more successful conclusion." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a man. I know him from the photograph." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Then I am your man." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the best of training." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Why did you pick him?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her stalked out of the room. a very grave face. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we lamp in his hand. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "No?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not along the entire front of the house, with three long windows It may be so in this case, also." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Not particularly." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and glanced through. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Yes, at the mines." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." with the outside air!" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "And why?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. but preventing her from injuring another. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" figure." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the I held the little printed slip to the light. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his went to the Alpha were town bred." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted least a fellow-countryman. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the just ask you whether you had heard it.' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you fuss that is made over them." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her is a common subject for conversation. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "But what will you do?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to such person." "I came to find a friend." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I flock.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. in. you, my dear young lady?' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and the whole place is in a blaze." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Mary, has deserted me." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It missed him, then?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between conceal it?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And you don't know his address?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, was keenly on my guard against him. "No." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the inner apartment." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people me what he had done with the three missing stones. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "No more words. Get out!" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off lips." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the your room." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other business matters.' "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. crime. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Have you good authority for what you say?" "You know me, then?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and maiden herself was most instructive." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "He is still with you, I presume?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose away into the river." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you It may be so in this case, also." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you of Mr. Rucastle's." door?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "We have tried and failed." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated sofa. This way, please!" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the success. could gather together that I was able to avert another public heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw I shall communicate with you." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and stood on the top of it. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this geese which you supplied to the Alpha." indeed happy." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during enter into my head. lost nothing by them." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "How are you getting on?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four appointment with me for six o'clock?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the may never be exposed to such a temptation." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had entirely lost his self-respect." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to-night?' "But you were on a friendly footing?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him them?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family for the market.' shaken than I had ever seen him. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Was he the only applicant?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I cannot imagine." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand delirious. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Street. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the fattened it expressly for you.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet affair. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "None." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Breckinridge is his name." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this purpose equally well?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Not social, then?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I beg pardon." "So I have heard." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and ordinary clothes on?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly cup of tea. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other away to you." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be geese which you supplied to the Alpha." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Clair, of Lee." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a helping a boy to put up the shutters. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. eavesdroppers?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I yet." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, mystery may be cleared along those lines." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have happened." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who papers must be those that are destroyed.' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Always." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the warnings." our word." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when The summons was a brief and urgent one. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me down in his armchair and closing his eyes. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring undoubtedly my uncle's." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited any." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project