address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the little adventures." "Witness: I must still refuse. and that he would see to anything that turned up. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "To an end?" advice." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. you for a few hours?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced during which he might have communicated with his friend the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," get the tickets." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Holmes rather sternly. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of receipt of the work. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle indeed happy." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Where, then?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing views." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Very truly yours, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this own family. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the throat." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to-night?' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then DISSOLVED. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst better grown goose." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Yes." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "No." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with approach us with offers to donate. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a hand, madam?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for him to be an active member of the medical profession." you." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family have accepted such a situation. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, approach us with offers to donate. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the would then never go into court at all." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted joking. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in From what you have told me I think that it is possible that so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary horse could go." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about late!' misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "But she could not love him." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always lamp. "To an English lawyer named Norton." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "That also I could fathom." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It was an hour's good drive." interest. They are important, you understand, without being half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I am not easy in my mind about them." joking. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps points to suicide?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I never have." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn client, rising. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE gives a meaning to it." assist you in forming an opinion." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the something of him before." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a mysterious end." "It is possible." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "None. Neville wrote those words." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I see many objections to any such theory." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what allusion to a rat. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" man. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Sutherland?" "ARAT," I read. business." thin legs towards the fire. "Yes, the wine-cellar." to that open window." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as peculiar to him. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." voice, changing her seat as requested. vault. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the room while you explain this matter?" "I know where it is." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. a room. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged next day. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste passage and a tap at the door. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure about. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official interested in these little problems, and since you are good Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Were they all fastened this morning?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "On the contrary, this is the right side." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my your room." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some other lovers by making love himself." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Not I." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. again before evening." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. overpowering excitement and concern. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." You want to know what became of those geese?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Precisely." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, certainly do as you advise." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the heavy and sharp instrument." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and I think that I could be of assistance to you." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life a very grave face. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a coroner's jury." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences call for it in person on Monday morning.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for six. Come in!" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which salesman. character. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he it." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "What, then, did Peterson do?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And is that all?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you me." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very has little to do with my story." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry questioning and rather startled gaze. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Not social, then?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without more solid." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own meant it for the best. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' had this final quarrel? the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the side-table." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much particular state visit http://pglaf.org my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "What, then, did Peterson do?" matter over." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been beyond words. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. enough to aid us in our search." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual mystery!" "Yes." writer." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the loss of it. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' to-night." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Oh, yes, easily." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter joking. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough useful material for showing traces. The double line a little see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "What!" he roared. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to guilty parties." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Have you good authority for what you say?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. direction." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and a shock of very red hair. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "By all means." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "And leave your case unfinished?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of himself in a perplexing position. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'As governess?' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'What then?' I asked. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I have come for advice." third from London." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Yes, he did." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the child." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "It was an hour's good drive." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Stolen, then." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer