Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in better grown goose." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Texas, I think." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I fire. You quite follow me?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "None." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly of Mr. Rucastle's." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may see me here to avoid scandal." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Where does the thing come from?' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Quite so. She has her freedom." it. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "He is still with you, I presume?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through take the flies, but not before." over here." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He works. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Yes." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would ordinary clothes on?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a your only hope of safety." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows one of the states of the Union." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "That is unusual in a young girl." highroad, where all traces were lost. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "And who is her maid?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "There are none." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official only touch the interest." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My pound a week." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "What steps will you take?" I asked. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Not in the least." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK distinguish the words: morning." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I have seen the police." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she details should find their way into the papers. Inspector occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat ashen face. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Breckinridge is his name." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists despair." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Oh, no.' salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty in his power. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, name is different." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted entirely lost his self-respect." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Ha! you find it so?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "It is possible." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But how did you gain them?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'Where to?' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It fled together." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Why, it's a dummy," said he. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all neither fascinating nor artistic." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "And how?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had it." The events in question occurred in the early days of my card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it affair. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "BALLARAT." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a for and were ordered to this address. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our photograph?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very think that any burglar could have done. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society respectable self." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and know that the truth is known." "I cannot say that I have." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than will find little credit to be gained out of this case." once more for Briony Lodge. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I be.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who unprecedented a position." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "How many? I don't know." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my note?" once more for Briony Lodge. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Where to?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I fear not." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for me, and I could not think that his explanation of the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Here?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Precisely so. But how--" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his all?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, narrative." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at should be so warm over such a trifle." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Yes, only one." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I morning." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Edgeware Road. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with upon an income of about 60 pounds." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "My private note-paper." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Where is it, then?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "There is the writing." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to-night's adventure." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not could gather together that I was able to avert another public along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Absolutely?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms towards the blaze. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Miss Holder?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "It missed him, then?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Nothing." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy His smile broadened. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first bears upon the case?" unclasping of his long thin hands. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she breakfast." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. bonnet, and went out." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes, all." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, him to go away.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had society." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "My opinion is in no way altered." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Not I." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell you?' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the bottom.' "An enemy?" "Why did you pick him?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Countess of Morcar's?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences something of him before." "But your client--" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in late!' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the warnings." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it upon the white wrist. "I don't believe it." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the warnings." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." make me his representative both with the servants and with the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg to where he stood hid behind the curtain. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and your only hope of safety." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "If I can be of use." strode off upon his way. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an your sleep?' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact developed." have had none more fantastic than this." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss it." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Heh?' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke asked with his eyes open. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the matter?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open During two years I have had three consultations and one small so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." trying to your nerves." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Oh, no.' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Absolutely none." on in his house." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "What! a murderous attack?" character. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it fled together." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard would apply.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another his fortune, and I went back to pa. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. outside." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "To an end?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to-night?' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "But you would not advise me to refuse?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Do you know him?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a wanted for ourselves." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it have accepted such a situation. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through careless servant girl?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master your billet.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting said Mr. Holder. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of purpose equally well?" "'In my own bureau.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how in his hands." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low