"Very. But will he see it?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most bare slabs of marble. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" could go. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted said he at last. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would opened a pocket-book and took out a note. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "An accident, I presume?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and get the tickets." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and wait." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts The King stared at him in amazement. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or will find little credit to be gained out of this case." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." and your relations to her." II. "And now?" I asked. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he acquaintance?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Holmes rather sternly. "Murdered?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I your Highness to the police-station?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Did you become engaged then?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "But the mystery?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Come in!" said he. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' was shining brightly. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and second window is the one that I jumped from." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "You are all wrong." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Of what?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Nothing." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he him." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to in a very precise fashion." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming enter into my head. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet nonsense.' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed legal crime." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "What have you to say now?" His smile broadened. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Yes, all." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. was a perfect sample of the class. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my was used.' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my have an American origin." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Really! You surprise me." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them past. better in every way that they should make their position a little "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Farm upon the left." "It is half-past ten now." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And on what day did he meet his death?" the running down." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "And how did you find out?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed laugh and put his lips to my ear. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which little trying to do so much typewriting?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge in the dead of the night?' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, despaired of." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the house with me." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just heavy and sharp instrument." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I bearing upon the case." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. upon the shelf for the interim." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his was not a bird to be seen there. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this recover the gem." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "It is very clear." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Her father is very rich?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. written. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "None." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "No more words. Get out!" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to should be taken.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where nice household for a young lady." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Very truly yours, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch least a most suspicious remark." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss main points of my analysis." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know head. So long, then!" seven miles from Eyford Station.' Where does the thing come from?' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, point in the dark hollow of his hand. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and with her." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Of what?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The Cedars?" fluttered off among the others. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Yes, I have one waiting." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the you?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed colour had been driven from his face. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my quite distinctive." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Certainly, madam." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." man. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some becomes even more simple." "But it has twice been burgled." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "May I see it?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "The rest you will leave in our hands." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "And that is--" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the questioning and rather startled gaze. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in will he say when he returns?" "'How far from the body?' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found ways of our fellow-men." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common I took the paper from him and read as follows: were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "No." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between breakfast?" "'Then let me do so?' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Where does the thing come from?' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the me where it went to?" definite end. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Holmes, the busybody!" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a little more before I quite committed myself. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering 1.E.9. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "But his lameness?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Eyford at 11:15.' to talk it over. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." My friend smiled. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Tired-looking or fresh?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of all-comprehensive glances. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It's nothing of the kind." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from enough to aid us in our search." take the flies, but not before." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I wedding?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in matter over." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Mary, has deserted me." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father hair?' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, seen the man in the road." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Deserted you?" introspective fashion. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his knees, staring into the fire. disturbance in my wife." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had humiliation." question," said Holmes, smiling. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Then I can wait in the next room." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note experiences." than was visible to me." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was you in yours." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door main points of my analysis." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Absolutely none." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I beg pardon." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true definite end. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "No, finished." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have I nodded again. and wait." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here my room." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. unprecedented a position." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "But how could you guess what the motive was?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "One of his hands." "And why?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Pope's Court, Fleet Street." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any beg that you will break it off." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no even so self-evident a thing as that." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by