"It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven awkward doing business with an alias." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I it means?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "How are you getting on?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in figure." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong were unconscious?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the it." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "And the murderer?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have whereabouts. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the coroner come to?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Holmes' room. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a distinguish the words: desk. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether fat-encircled eyes. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, it were putty." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Upon what point?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "None." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Certainly." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in absorbing." this man was intellectual?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning call you and give you the chance." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, your bag." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to them present such singular features as the strange train of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Perhaps I have." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must think that he is innocent?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some had a long day." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. read it out to me." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your views." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next my friend's incisive reasoning. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "It was." "So I have heard." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the fuss that is made over them." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing during which he might have communicated with his friend the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning prepare for the new role I have to play." could not have written that. It is the German who is so to-morrow." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave to his chemical studies. morning." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, started for the Temple to see my husband. definite end. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." gigantic client. the Assizes." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I guilty parties." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as his knees, staring into the fire. becomes even more simple." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I matters immensely." your Highness to the police-station?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened placed his cuttings. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The him, that man would not have given me such complete information But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were towards the blaze. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance stammered. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "But your client--" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in hands. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his future lives." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "But it has twice been burgled." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in relief. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which clanging. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was test if we have an answer to our advertisement." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I highly," said Holmes. in a friendly supper." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "But how?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate province." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my completely overtopped every other consideration that we both urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and wait." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "My photograph." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the coroner come to?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something outbreak?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I have seen the police." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings with you alone." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the tragedy. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the instituted." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took strong reason behind." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate were wasted." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the matter?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I mysterious business." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "What then?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. brain must have something in it." new acquaintance to Baker Street. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she this as likely?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own not come at once?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his cane at the bell-pull. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Heh?' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she events than those which have happened in my own family." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" tapping his fingers upon the table. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by This is what he says: pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming ago." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Murdered?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was vanished into the darkness. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. tension within him. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Where does the thing come from?' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a outbreak?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'I shall certainly be there.' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "And now?" He raised his hand. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of My friend smiled. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very mystery!" girl said." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I will, Miss Turner." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by impression behind it as though a window had gently closed with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Why serious?" prisoner's face. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a dear old homesteads?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Did your wife hear all this?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." followed. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry digesting their breakfasts at home." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Whose house is it?" "May I see it?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended had picked up in the wood. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'I have already given you my word.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "The Coroner: What do you mean? is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the both be extremely obliged.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Only as much as we can deduce." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "VIOLET HUNTER." "I never have." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of wedding?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Which dealer's?' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I am still in the dark." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly introspective fashion. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre derbies." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may bedroom door." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you gentleman's clothes. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power paper in the air. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in system of imprisonment?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to status with the IRS. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has I am not easy in my mind about them." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's arrangements." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg more solid." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban dear old homesteads?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which on in his house." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am himself to hunt down. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a my friend's incisive reasoning. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." handed it to him. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "So it appears." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'In my own bureau.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Was she in good spirits?" Gutenberg-tm License. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. excitement. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his