we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." upon the shelf for the interim." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Nothing?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Yes, the wine-cellar." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his in the port of London." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and put his glass in his pocket. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Oh, no.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, could go. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "A confidential servant?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at out." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit said he. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both before the coroner and the police-court." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. any." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Stoke Moran?" said he. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "ARAT," I read. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came I shall communicate with you." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "My opinion is in no way altered." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Why that?' I asks. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Certainly, madam." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a be there in time for your coming." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round guilty parties." "Proceed, then." what do you think they found in the pockets?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I populous neighbourhood." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "The Coroner: What do you mean? were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough discontent upon his features. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit disturbance in my wife." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to-morrow." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider learned something! Where are the gems?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." of Fenchurch Street." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "But you have hopes?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch wife's character?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Upon what point?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it colour had been driven from his face. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Where to?' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed been." "In answer to an advertisement." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. morning." call for it in person on Monday morning.' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "About a month then." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Certainly." "Dark enough and sinister enough." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "You are hungry," I remarked. families. Now for the facts. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and inquire as to the address." skylight. and wait." any." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to papers on the sundial.'" the night.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, did not hear it also.' "The Cedars?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for along the entire front of the house, with three long windows outside." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Look there!" said he. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite upon a handsome competence. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Yes." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the south-west, I see." rose-bushes. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. one's self under obligations.' "He said too much." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I will do it." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "And Miss Sutherland?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "How about poison?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "You think that he is dead?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a few hundred pounds.' "And how did he make his money?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "And for present expenses?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Then I do not see the point." floor. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "How did he come?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "What do you mean?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I will try. What is it?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to bearing upon the case." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly about here speaks of his kindness to him." "What do you make of that, Watson?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to bird of prey. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be main points of my analysis." face and glided from the room. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "You horrify me!" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Street. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day round and wave him away like that.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the depend upon my doing so.' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Nothing." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." http://gutenberg.net/license). father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door morning." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, carpenter." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I before the coroner and the police-court." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the driver. the nursery. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to affect your life." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." minor matters until to-morrow." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement away into the river." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither his forehead." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sneer upon his pale face. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" take the flies, but not before." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' row." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Leave Paddington by the 11:15." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Yes, it was twisted." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice relief. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "My photograph." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "He disappeared so suddenly." was not a bird to be seen there. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect respectable self." remarked. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "And your mother is alive?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both open." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress ventilator." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the very letters. But what is this written above them?' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, will be renamed. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "And the murderer?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. with the outside air!" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do in the port of London." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. once more for Briony Lodge. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the coronet in his hand?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to awkward doing business with an alias." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, pound a week." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in cigars in the box." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the public press." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See will take you up to see the machine.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an late." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. man. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Pray continue your narrative." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance looking up at the numbers of the houses." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually mystery!" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of golden eyeglasses. nonsense.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "One horse?" interjected Holmes. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the hand, madam?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, heavily into it. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "9th. McCauley cleared. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Pray tell us what has happened to you." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our jewels which you have stolen?' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, several quiet little villages up there." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I nonsense.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'I have already given you my word.' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled might help us?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have stammered. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and effective." address. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they emerged. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "But it has twice been burgled." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "How many? I don't know." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at charged with?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by peculiar to him. there has been an enclosure here!" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'There is a drive, then?' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried