However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in late." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Holmes' room. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the are windows in it, of course?" "I cannot think." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving presented which may be striking and bizarre without being o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a hand, madam?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about I held the little printed slip to the light. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "No, my brougham is waiting." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he My friend smiled. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be if I call to-morrow?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and little adventures." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and in the port of London." together. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I will try. What is it?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but relation between them, and what the object of his repeated has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Yes." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I will, Miss Turner." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father bed dies. Does not that strike you?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar of." "Have you her photograph?" tell them apart.' "Who was the criminal, then?" showing my impatience. and the colonel ushered me in. "That was it, sir." man. I know him from the photograph." question. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Yes." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the roots. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them row." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I guessed as much." "Did he not advertise?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and that he would see to anything that turned up. of the way of danger. not within a twentieth part of the market price." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Where to?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has me what he had done with the three missing stones. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It lumber-room." "I was mad--insane." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their made his money." with her." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" room had already been engaged for us. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." an introduction to him?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "A client, then?" "This photograph!" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." generous with you in money matters.' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce there in twenty minutes." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. question. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "None." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, wife's character?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored a good hundred miles off by now." "No, finished." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "You have a clue?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, of your young ladies.' stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the bearing upon the case." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever You can understand that this register and diary may implicate another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable yards of it?' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "But she could not love him." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Deserted you?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said disappearance of the bride.'" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the flock.' "Here?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "How did you trace it, then?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Well, some hundreds of times." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his meant it for the best. and glanced through. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were bears upon the case?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler bell. Holmes whistled. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at you in your example." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Then I do not see the point." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Where, then?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have This is what he says: insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the mysterious business." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and keep the flames under. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. companion quietly. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" in this way: "Where, then?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "What! a murderous attack?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in his hands." I think that I could be of assistance to you." place of silver." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Serpentine Avenue. beyond words. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of page at http://pglaf.org village inn over there?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his http://www.gutenberg.net have established a very serious case against the son of the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing You want to know what became of those geese?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about details should find their way into the papers. Inspector inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar security.' hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out it? Did I buy the geese off you?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I he died? blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "In what way?" asked Holmes. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Breckinridge is his name." "One?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." waste of energy." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the coronet in his hand?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off weapon." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to tackle the facts." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any arrested. You then--" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "But the mystery?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Was your sister dressed?" would then never go into court at all." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and the church but not where the lady lived." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "You don't mind breaking the law?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "But she will refuse." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the felt?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you call it cruel." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Street. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted overpowering excitement and concern. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Is 4 pounds a week.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: works. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "To an end?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "So I have heard." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." it means?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. stood on the top of it. Farm upon the left." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid than was visible to me." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he long narrative. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "It is no ordinary one." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after weighed down with some great anxiety. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the window, rose as we entered. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "On your arm?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman vanished into the darkness. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" room?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left know that the truth is known." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Where, then?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "The doctor?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "So it appears." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "You will not go there first?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This hour?' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Stoke Moran?" said he. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I humiliation." your own bird, so if you wish--" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. morning." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "No, I am descending." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy