that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would away into the river." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal whereabouts. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a off." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never husband's writing, madam." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was matter." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "How did he come?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this distance from the station, and there we found the young lady could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass he. dead, shall be safe with us." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Whose house is it?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar said I. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "But what will you do?" tightly behind him. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Ha! you find it so?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I will do it." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me said I. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, which are rolled in Rotterdam." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little at my remark. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "It is possible." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Certainly." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't lost nothing by them." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered remarked. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "VIOLET HUNTER." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average threw himself down with his face to the pillow. in this note: "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out appointment with me for six o'clock?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied as yours." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, do.' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may had a long day." wall." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as ran thus: like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I have seen the police." results." would apply.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the inner apartment." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "The vanishing of the lady." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch less than 26s. 4d. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently nights." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Stoke Moran?" said he. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" head. So long, then!" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Nothing." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been bird I ate is country bred." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, have an American origin." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always house for five minutes.' description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I am armed." Edgeware Road. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young purpose equally well?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Quite so." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'Oh, no.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several with some details as to your case." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a there in twenty minutes." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning The summons was a brief and urgent one. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave are, and they are waiting for us." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." I shall continue with my miserable story. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "The doctor?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Here?" not fit the lock." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "That is possible." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from few hundred pounds.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Yes." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual him." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Then, as to money?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Yes." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The your troubles." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm indeed which he could not unravel. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. in the dead of the night?' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything woman who has had her own way to make in the world. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize heavily into it. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond redistribution. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man persecution?" his knees, staring into the fire. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. than was visible to me." chance." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he fire. You quite follow me?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at matter." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in deduce something from that?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any them present such singular features as the strange train of absorbing." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Foundation woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and about. make me his representative both with the servants and with the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "To the police?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear main points of my analysis." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Stolen, then." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I or other trace. But how on earth--" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "An enemy?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be than to us. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to promised to bring home. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Which are?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "You think that he is dead?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle power." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. take the flies, but not before." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of secret." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this John Swain, of St. Augustine. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of the vacancies.' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have dear old homesteads?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your His name is Francis Prosper." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our round with crates and massive boxes. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. call the police, let the police find what they can.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "It was." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Yes." "And how in the world did you find them?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." one else, I think." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Entirely." "'Quite sure, dad.' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I know where it is." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the quick march!" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated you?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then how many are there?" chair. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, in a friendly supper." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "And is that all?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a charge against him will break down." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Did he not advertise?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to could go. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the disturbance in my wife." away to you." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true dates and names. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hopeless attempt at recovering them." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, infinite languor in his face. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was residence of the great financier. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Stoke Moran?" said he. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door McCarthy's innocence. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done