have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch like that before?" character. hair?' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the such attractions and accomplishments?' remarked. residence of the great financier. "On Monday." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'As governess?' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the both be extremely obliged.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "The best possible." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my as the one I chose?' weapon." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I occupations.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments interest. They are important, you understand, without being The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I from you?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Dark enough and sinister enough." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the general public were present, then?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "One?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Your French gold?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging fat-encircled eyes. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "What then?" enter into my head. looking up at the numbers of the houses." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I answered that I had not. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "None." she to prove their authenticity?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I cannot tell." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Count Von Kramm." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party hardly wander." "Ample." fact, we may call it conclusive." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off over part of the map. "What do you read?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police some city in a dream. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance maid will bring up your coffee." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk village inn over there?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I telegram would bring me down to your help." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It is to him that this trophy belongs." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed take the flies, but not before." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! salesman. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Very well, sir. And this stone?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." think that any burglar could have done. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I cannot imagine." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole highroad, where all traces were lost. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Why, what do you mean?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." which was all perfectly true. affair. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, disturbance in my wife." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Yes." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes. He waved his hands." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening status with the IRS. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Not particularly." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Bought." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "My stepfather's business papers." the inquest, and which are worth considering." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings foot. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think exactly what you advise." it with his own hands." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from at home. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any you." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything confronted him. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. then?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Why? What do you mean?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged way in everything. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Your French gold?" "A call for help, you thought?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I promise," said Holmes. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "You are all wrong." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Murdered?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white do you make of it all?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I answered that I had not. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to posted to-day." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and conclusions. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she present." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of tightly behind him. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and think, you have already met." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the roots. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, fat-encircled eyes. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as village inn over there?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all himself to hunt down. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, intrusion of other matters." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in is now desirous of getting those letters back." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to go into your room and bar your shutters?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down this Miss Turner." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Watson," he said cordially. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It are, and they are waiting for us." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Yes, it was twisted." goes." "My stepfather's business papers." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Yes." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "And you don't know his address?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we with her." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Oh, yes, easily." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Holmes rather sternly. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "It is very kind of you." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, strode off upon his way. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Yes." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. spark where all is dark to me." "I am armed." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he pressing in one house as in another. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce him!" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "What of the rat, then?" outsides of the windows. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The may never be exposed to such a temptation." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering business?" bird I ate is country bred." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with drove away. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly burst into a hearty fit of laughter. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Why, what do you mean?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his until night should bring an explanation. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "VIOLET HUNTER." been able to understand it, in a very few words. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, may never be exposed to such a temptation." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son voice, changing her seat as requested. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Upon what point?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes you found me to-night--and running through the front room she new duties?' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and next day. think that he is innocent?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Then let me do so?' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than 11:15.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his went to the Alpha were town bred." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. was lame." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and tear off another piece?' and inquire as to the address." "It is a murder, then?" "It was an hour's good drive." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Now, then, what's the last entry?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been points in connection with it which never have been, and probably digesting their breakfasts at home." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly mystery may be cleared along those lines." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life your own bird, so if you wish--" "I guessed as much." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom gone before you can get him to hospital." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and that he would see to anything that turned up. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. point in the dark hollow of his hand. imbecility!" he cried. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'Which dealer's?' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." indiscretion." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to change my dress. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Of Friday, June 19th." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a photograph?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from occurred." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. in this way: postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day shadow pass over his face as I spoke. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Pray let us have it, for all that." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Gutenberg-tm License. fluttered off among the others. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire me upon any point which I do not make clear." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the shall use the carriage to-night." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more