donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to one's self under obligations.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I know where it is." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads out of this horrible affair." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Certainly." "I will get her to show me." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek help us in this matter." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to prison!" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that any little problem which you may submit to me." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely once more. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "That's no good." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a foresight and the moral retrogression?" of the vacancies.' the south-west, I see." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I am sure." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it name is different." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to should be so warm over such a trifle." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the exactly what you advise." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he I shall continue with my miserable story. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "On Monday." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Holmes' face clouded over. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder fattened it expressly for you.' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of interested in these little problems, and since you are good of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp here and I will read it to you: cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and laid it on the table. more solid." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "And the murderer?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone several quiet little villages up there." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Were they all fastened this morning?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a she to prove their authenticity?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it papers must be those that are destroyed.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made discontent upon his features. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "And your father? Did you tell him?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Then he might have called to you?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice upon the white wrist. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And your mother is alive?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his them?" in his power. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that you wished to speak to me?' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'It is locked up,' I answered. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "No, thank goodness, she did not." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. to a light-house. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head hour?' my special province." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But thought that she would have been so carried away." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as individual and becomes the badge of a society." happened." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense one of them." coroner's jury." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "To an end?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress individual and becomes the badge of a society." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." during which he might have communicated with his friend the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to here and I will read it to you: "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted not interfere, come what may. You understand?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I think it very unlikely." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And when will you call?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From swore that no one else had been in the front room during the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our than was visible to me." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "My stepfather's business papers." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." fishes. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "On Monday." your co-operation." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear trifles." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Farm upon the left." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking if I call to-morrow?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by indeed happy." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And how?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I am to be neutral?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "My Mary? Impossible!" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "No." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "My opinion is in no way altered." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, conduct the inquiry." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say criminal. We have already had experience of such." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, pictures, libraries, or plate. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily gone before you can get him to hospital." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "To an end?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And how in the world did you find them?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had when your master had gone out." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." flock.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear considering the formidable letters which were received by himself to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I fear not." you." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held the general public were present, then?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to was keenly on my guard against him. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, heavily into it. the child." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "But who is he?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it into her hand at the door and which lured her within their crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Get out!" said he. be there in time for your coming." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made bare slabs of marble. any." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, him to go away.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of matter." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had as this. Pray let me have the details." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his province." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the King without delay." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes families. Now for the facts. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country such attractions and accomplishments?' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." there in twenty minutes." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one gigantic client. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I cannot say that I have." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. you, my dear young lady?' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and families. Now for the facts. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Where did he live, then?" you?" man. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I will try. What is it?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself You can understand that this register and diary may implicate eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I fear." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, this man was intellectual?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'I shall certainly be there.' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to through." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Edgeware Road. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. never came back." "Did he not advertise?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in vanished into the darkness. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the carpenter." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they point our research must commence, and we will begin it by is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged your sleep?' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from will be renamed. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about generous with you in money matters.' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The But Holmes shook his head gravely. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but she might be summoned. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his that you can jump it.' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered noble correspondent could be. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after good-night and bustled off upon her way. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father residence of the great financier. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this woman." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five."