the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to formed some opinion?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his matter over." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the presume?" II. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Yes, but only for you and me." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I will, Miss Turner." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped call it cruel." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Won't it ring?" questionable one." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Seven!" I answered. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "ARAT," I read. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." at a side door. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can American. Then who could this American be, and why should he continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, until night should bring an explanation. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "About a month then." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her address. easy-going way." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Not in the least." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And how have you succeeded?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and neither fascinating nor artistic." the coroner come to?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of his forehead." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange one else, I think." asked with his eyes open. peculiar to him. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk few hundred pounds.' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'About the same.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Where is it, then?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little families. Now for the facts. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was in him." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "No sign of it?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Then you may entirely rely on me." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there again before evening." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "And who is her maid?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and in one or two places in England?' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "BALLARAT." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of straightened it out again. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Perfectly so." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the inquest, and which are worth considering." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the whatever might befall. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the matter?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, success. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Then let me do so?' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me come either from the window or the door. My attention was she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, points to suicide?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you gentleman's clothes. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have a room. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Dirty?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that late!' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the there when the Rucastles went away." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'And the work?' father's young wife. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and your relations to her." "'Oh, no.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and standing smiling on the door-step. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Deserted you?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, woman." closely." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Yes." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, undoubtedly my uncle's." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'About the same.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She completely overtopped every other consideration that we both without a word or a look. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fatally injured? passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. was already answered. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "But we can't all be." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the said he. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "In the cells." straighten it?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Do you know him?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his London for the present?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are some city in a dream. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "I am all attention, madam." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "And what did you see?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are despaired of." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Have you good authority for what you say?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it orange pips. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not girl said." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Very murderous indeed." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his these bleak autumnal evenings." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so always that they were such commands as a lady might with us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder and all of them with the keenest interest. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "But who is he?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'I am sure if I had known--' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment weapon." "From his hat?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of the vacancies.' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, beyond words. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the matter?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. to-night?' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'Is purely nominal.' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Then I can wait in the next room." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "At what time?" chill to my heart. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" made his money." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "None." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "How long did she speak to this Alice?" points to suicide?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in. crime." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" emerged. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of http://www.gutenberg.net Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and have this put in the evening papers." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Then I shall certainly come." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his him to be an active member of the medical profession." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I will, Miss Turner." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon I have it here in my museum." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Then you may be so with me." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "And how have you succeeded?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion three of the beryls in it, was missing. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the in darkness. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional for and were ordered to this address. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at mystery may be cleared along those lines." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and the whole place is in a blaze." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Breckinridge is his name." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had chill to my heart. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and shall probably return to London by the evening train." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me you." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'Is 4 pounds a week.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very possible that we could bring him back to her? room. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three correct than the official force." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so