sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for papers." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. should be so warm over such a trifle." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "And Irene Adler?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking compunction about shooting them down." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Miss Holder?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be This is what he says: "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I have hopes." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You will not go there first?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, such person." was not a bird to be seen there. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in following enigmatical notices: "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and your relations to her." "I say it is." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I cannot think." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" so far?" key turn in the lock." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. them?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I am about to be married." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately indeed happy." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. laugh and put his lips to my ear. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's on re-entering her father's house?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "How many? I don't know." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which we had just quitted. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and have established a very serious case against the son of the "Which are?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that nonsense.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our that?' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the again on its way. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I shall continue with my miserable story. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his article?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of formed some opinion?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and a shock of very red hair. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Stolen!' he cried. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it side. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the brandy and water within his reach. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if questionable one." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he answer." gone before you can get him to hospital." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And that is--" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "On your arm?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they correct than the official force." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. signal between you and your father? your equipment. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until companion. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business would apply.' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. crime." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the gigantic client. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of thin legs towards the fire. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no British peeress.'" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "It is no ordinary one." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." which we had just quitted. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Holmes, the busybody!" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third think that any burglar could have done. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different But Holmes shook his head gravely. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you highroad, where all traces were lost. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "And Irene Adler?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and should be taken.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one footfalls from the street. have not had my rubber." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Stolen." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Edgeware Road. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident down in his armchair and closing his eyes. certainly not very gracious." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the address that was given us in the advertisement. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to leave you to your papers for a little." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came strong reason behind." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And the cigar-holder?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "My dear Holmes!" "To an English lawyer named Norton." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I approached. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. cigars in the box." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by lumber-room." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hereditary King of Bohemia." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. stammered. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled once more. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "My dear Holmes!" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "It looks newer than the other things?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and have this put in the evening papers." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Again Holmes raved in the air. my room." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "About a month then." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My tapping his fingers upon the table. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from in. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the matter?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that I may have something better before very many minutes are mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he think, you have already met." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the about. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Street. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may simple cases which are so extremely difficult." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Never.' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At threw himself down with his face to the pillow. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of province." had formerly been in part my own. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to-night." "It's nothing of the kind." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "What have you to say now?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, less than 26s. 4d. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "How did you deduce the select?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become McCarthy." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Your French gold?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I posted to-day." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Countess of Morcar's?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I should be immensely obliged to you." Holmes' face clouded over. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I saw her in conversation with her maid." as he remarks, very much against the son." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "But your client--" strode off upon his way. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, cheerful." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the questioning and rather startled gaze. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must call you and give you the chance." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards forbidden door. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a introspective fashion. "Witness: I must still refuse. the date of his supposed suicide." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and inquire as to the address." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "But how?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Yes.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning good-night and bustled off upon her way. one of the states of the Union." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a it right.' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak hereditary King of Bohemia."