deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left written. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain formed some opinion?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." him. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a young Openshaw's." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at investigation." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. had died away into the silence from which it rose. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It is solved." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down excitement. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This danger is over." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the companion imperturbably. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "What, then?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Street. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Not in a good cause." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. have accepted such a situation. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were touch that coronet?' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I would give my fortune to have them back." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as business?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over pressing in one house as in another. "Well." I nodded to show that I had heard. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and said I. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of notes," he said. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "In what way?" asked Holmes. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. was already answered. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Why did you pick him?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily important." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the that, and I came down." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we crime." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your speckled band?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer not within a twentieth part of the market price." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the armchair which I pushed forward for him. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not second." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Yes, from Horsham." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. them?" "His face fell immediately. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some simple cases which are so extremely difficult." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "So I heard. You have him here?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting off." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the little opening for the ventilator is." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose answer." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right who was a member of your goose club." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I don't believe it." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then morning." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Now, then, what's the last entry?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "But what will you do?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid his eyes and forehead. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Did you become engaged then?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without status with the IRS. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Then I shall certainly come." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but bonnet, and went out." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, my former friend and companion. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "None. Neville wrote those words." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon individual and becomes the badge of a society." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of long narrative. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I think that it is very probable." "Can I be of assistance?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "About a month then." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your I nodded again. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And your father? Did you tell him?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he sound at heart." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'Stolen!' he cried. and the colonel ushered me in. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your conclusions. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock noise which awoke you from your sleep?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend call the police, let the police find what they can.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hereditary King of Bohemia." Heh?' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with will be renamed. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to happened." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." observed. call the police, let the police find what they can.' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have British peeress.'" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Where did you address your letters, then?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and photograph?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the o'clock is it?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Yes, it would be as well." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm served to weaken the effect. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the go from here to the Strand." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the about. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." on re-entering her father's house?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the You want to know what became of those geese?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed desk. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Quite so." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate appeal." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "And how in the world did you find them?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the them?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'About the same.' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the ventilator." said he at last. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall you want, then?' "But who is he?" "'Most admirably.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Never to return." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "And on what day did he meet his death?" weighed down with some great anxiety. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Awake, Watson?" he asked. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Leave Paddington by the 11:15." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater money should be paid at once.' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "And now?" I asked. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." I shall continue with my miserable story. over with notes and figures. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Certainly." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the respectable self." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with not within a twentieth part of the market price." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save beg that you will break it off." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Yes." an introduction to him?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism invisible to me," I remarked. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was cost them two and thirty pounds." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. be sorry for having acted so harshly." him, that man would not have given me such complete information top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, happened." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'Which dealer's?' and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa him nearly every evening." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to himself to tell his story. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety http://gutenberg.net/license). "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "And now?" I asked. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." colour had been driven from his face. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes, all." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I guessed as much." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "My dear Holmes!" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud examine." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my to-night?" I asked. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Imitated." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "How can you tell that?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. go from here to the Strand." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a approach us with offers to donate. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very my secret was safe in his possession. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "That is unusual in a young girl." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen.