strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is three fields round his house, and there he would take his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Why serious?" exactly what you advise." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing American. Then who could this American be, and why should he you." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included in darkness. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." ventilator." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." than to us. have an American origin." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "The rest you will leave in our hands." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of be.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "That is also quite modern," said the lady. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the about here speaks of his kindness to him." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Entirely." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Come in!" said he. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Come in!" said he. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the address that was given us in the advertisement. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "How did you deduce the select?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "The vanishing of the lady." "That is unusual in a young girl." name is different." bearing upon the case." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United recall any case within my experience which looked at the first John Swain, of St. Augustine. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now conduct the inquiry." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open relief. "A client, then?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." returned to France?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the inquest, and which are worth considering." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Murdered?" ordinary clothes on?" "Texas, I think." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "To ruin me." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & believe that I should never have any practice at all. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of up this clue while it is still hot." to tell." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I will try. What is it?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I fear not." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'There is a drive, then?' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "What do you mean?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in goes." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I it." Serpentine Avenue. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and you in yours." "Yes." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an here." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again newspaper selections." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been had picked up in the wood. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "And help." up this clue while it is still hot." I shall continue with my miserable story. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "What! a murderous attack?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our enter Dr. Roylott's room." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad colonel looking down at me. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "At half-wages, in fact." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. in this note: knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Witness: Nothing definite. this remarkable episode. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and inquire as to the address." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "None." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may tapping his fingers upon the table. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the pictures, libraries, or plate. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them there is a decided draught." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. in the dead of the night?' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes side. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point me what he had done with the three missing stones. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than I leave." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. answered with a sidelong glance. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "A thing like a cleaver," said he. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations notes," he said. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Dr. Becher's." might have a private word with us. yards of it?' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in straighten it?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Count Von Kramm." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that written. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing presume?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Sholtos." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and no precautions can guard against." and wait." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good knowledge of the world." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a companion. you in your example." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen of it with the greatest attention. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Yes, certainly." fluttered off among the others. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and it need not interfere very much with one's other - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." pound a week." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found telegram would bring me down to your help." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new copied or distributed: lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but chair. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "And on what day did he meet his death?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he which was all perfectly true. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and particular state visit http://pglaf.org train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It 'I should be able to look after that for you.' grasp, he hurried from the room. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, was used.' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes, only one." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother taking in every detail of the apartment. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Oh, fresh and glossy." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his with you alone." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. fire. You quite follow me?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed following enigmatical notices: search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found before, for it was considerably after midnight. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into possible that we could bring him back to her? carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "The best possible." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the nonsense.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "What!" he roared. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "It is solved." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I should wish to." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I think it very unlikely." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured awaited us upon the table. whole matter to your consideration." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came yourselves in at night?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I would pay ten." unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might joking. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "A confidential servant?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your said he, "my real name is James Ryder." you came in." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes if I call to-morrow?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "She will not sell." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable charged with?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" conduct the inquiry." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I fear not." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Precisely." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Indeed! Whose, then?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the Friday. Was it to be in church?" you." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, child?' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to his chemical studies. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Will you go?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if imbecility!" he cried. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to shaken than I had ever seen him. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at appointment with me for six o'clock?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "But your client--" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable