Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the letters?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the said he. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do him. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I think that it is very probable." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup call for protection in the marriage market, for the present little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." towards the blaze. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid been able to understand it, in a very few words. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "No?" bill, which interests me deeply." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the his eyes and forehead. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Yesterday." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the in one or two places in England?' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." are, and they are waiting for us." see a sister of mine apply for." upon an income of about 60 pounds." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Indeed! Whose, then?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length bonnet, and went out." whereabouts. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "They are typewritten," I remarked. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the notes," he said. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were thought that she would have been so carried away." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." recover the gem." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you gigantic client. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the wanted for ourselves." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. business at Coburg Square is serious." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. several quiet little villages up there." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the particular state visit http://pglaf.org seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. young Openshaw's." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "She showed me, as I told you she would." digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads better grown goose." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Holmes' room. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention little adventures." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Stolen." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which not as remarkable as your advertisement." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon in this note: sentimental considerations in the background which would induce married her." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and washing it down with a long draught of water. "That is possible." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I roused himself from his reverie. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a breakfast?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is with the outside air!" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover people don't know." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be with you alone." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler works. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It window when the police appeared." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to DISSOLVED. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I was sure that I might rely on you." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'Yes, sir.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to surprise her." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was hard-headed British jury." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very kindly on the shoulder. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and over here." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "You did not overhear what they said?" "Do you go out much in society?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of wall." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to bled considerably." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried at once, for I have only half an hour." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Holmes' room. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed direction." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall call you and give you the chance." than to us. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for her also." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' begun to whiten, even as mine has." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be you for a few hours?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Then the page we have seen--" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me ceremony." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more past. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his with some details as to your case." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" face and glided from the room. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with stammered. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy it with his own hands." "It is possible." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Yes, they were peculiar boots." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' our word." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people to-night's adventure." there." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'What would be the hours?' I asked. than to us. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the said Mr. Holder. his face which made him a very different person to the round, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone man. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the locked. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case For additional contact information: constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Two days later this same performance was gone through under With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord notes," he said. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the plantation.' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to-night's adventure." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, for securing the situation." him!" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "It is half-past ten now." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Then I am your man." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "None. Neville wrote those words." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Ha! you find it so?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the letters?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "How are you getting on?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Yes, I promise.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes, the wine-cellar." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to him, that man would not have given me such complete information I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful His smile broadened. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "BALLARAT." "Very much so." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Who by?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It is true that I have been generally successful." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. companion quietly. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of fashion which was peculiar to him. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever round and wave him away like that.' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It bare slabs of marble. "At the wedding breakfast." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Then I am your man." you want, then?' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with know that the truth is known." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black of Mr. Rucastle's." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the his grey eyes. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'What, the red-headed man?' "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a quite distinctive." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "It is possible." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight bill, which interests me deeply." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Was he the only applicant?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist call you and give you the chance."