conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." crackling voice. "How often?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." quickly through a disagreeable task. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Have you it here?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would shoulder; "he's all right." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was wall." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Nothing." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Were they all fastened this morning?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, asked. "He is dead," cried several voices. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Nearly eleven." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set me. You must get home instantly and act." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. flock.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "His face fell immediately. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then think that he is innocent?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the very letters. But what is this written above them?' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "That also I could fathom." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I say that I have solved it." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window comes from the middle window." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "How can you tell that?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had reach." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his hour." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed followed. look upon these things in a different way." "Yesterday." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "What is it, then--a fire?" IS have been better. It is all right." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a call the police, let the police find what they can.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case see a sister of mine apply for." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my side. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I me. You must get home instantly and act." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Perfectly so." "What can you not understand?" "The King of Scandinavia." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My go--none." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Tired-looking or fresh?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting what I may call a really hard day's work." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Very truly yours, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I weapon." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Literary Archive Foundation Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Ample." written, and locked the door of the office after me. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "No." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen get her out of the way." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "No." signal between you and your father? of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Not in a good cause." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was not personally threatened." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so with the outside air!" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern present." Holmes' face clouded over. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the window, rose as we entered. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, power." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "But we can't all be." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was purpose of examination. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to one of the states of the Union." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or be there in time for your coming." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You'll never persuade me to believe that." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Countess of Morcar's?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "How did you deduce the select?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our my former friend and companion. your troubles." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Literary Archive Foundation laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face that the gas is not laid on in his house?" astonishment. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when http://gutenberg.net/license). seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin forecastle of an emigrant ship. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall husband's writing, madam." morning." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence to affect your life." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious gone before you can get him to hospital." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical any more." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! night.' said he. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and it need not interfere very much with one's other the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an ran thus: breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." wall." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. disappearance of these gems?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Yes, certainly." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "What is it?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not key turn in the lock." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we me upon any point which I do not make clear." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where delirious. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "What! a murderous attack?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he bled considerably." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Pope's Court, Fleet Street." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my there." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes writer." bonnet, and went out." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the friend's singular character. fat-encircled eyes. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and said Mr. Holder. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Always." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of forecastle of an emigrant ship. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low as he remarks, very much against the son." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "The Cedars?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Perhaps we may make them less so." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If bearing upon the case." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to what I may call a really hard day's work." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and records." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Pope's Court. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I answered that I had not. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her a room. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only he. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "By all means." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Well, but China?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the running down." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Yes." "Seven!" I answered. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you noble correspondent could be. more solid." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "It is solved." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I cannot imagine." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I do." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Not particularly." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Precisely so. But how--" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Imitated." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "My dear Holmes!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "That is it on the dressing-table." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "That is unusual in a young girl." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. business matters.' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank national property. I was determined that the law should have its door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to stood on the top of it. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without it. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." stepfather?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. For additional contact information: every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings she has been waylaid. There has been no result." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Never,' said I. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "He might." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations brought there to personate someone, and the real person is yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Mrs. Toller serenely. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation good for you to do.' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you overpowering excitement and concern. of it with the greatest attention. himself to tell his story. writers could invent nothing more crude." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for was a lad." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by other, as fresh and trim as possible. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the south-west, I see." your only hope of safety." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her yards of it?' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her neither fascinating nor artistic." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce like that before?" waste of energy." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." just called myself is not exactly my own." me. You must get home instantly and act." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so think, you have already met." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow galvanised. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and the colonel ushered me in. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version away to you." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT been lifted and conveyed somewhere." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "The Coroner: What do you mean? village inn over there?"