at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the lamp. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' relief. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." sparkled upon his finger. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might skylight. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, her also." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Stoke Moran." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With least a fellow-countryman. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Which are?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the date of his supposed suicide." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down appeared upon the scene." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I will do it." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This just called myself is not exactly my own." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "You are hungry," I remarked. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "No, thank goodness, she did not." galvanised. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of campaign. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project unclasping of his long thin hands. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months States. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the one as in the other." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg points in connection with it which never have been, and probably his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it union?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' if only as a check to my own memory." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Seven!" I answered. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." business?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, late!' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "And you can do nothing until then?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "But how did you gain them?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point asked. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I she used." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward ceremony." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any down. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "May I see it?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." all?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I am still in the dark." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I am not easy in my mind about them." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be have I gained?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better arms and began to sob in a high treble key. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a heavily into it. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It nothing with him." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the never will be, entirely cleared up. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of question," said Holmes, smiling. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in you?' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" spare." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." meant." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias conduct the inquiry." constraint." results." there was no need for father to know." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps enter Dr. Roylott's room." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his to Leatherhead. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what back to my heart. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with for the market.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "And you don't know his address?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Of what?" the devil!" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had had died away into the silence from which it rose. "You know me, then?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the coronet at all injured?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Was your sister dressed?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable fatally injured? wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the stalked out of the room. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his think, you have already met." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman spark where all is dark to me." was a loud and authoritative tap. to a light-house. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to talk it over. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where you?' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive felt the room to be a little close.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, my room." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which forbidden door. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is definite end. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your that there was nothing in it, after all." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I must compliment you." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to in one or two places in England?' town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Why did you pick him?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so spark where all is dark to me." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You have it, sir, just as it happened." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst were unconscious?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case leaning back in his chair. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there present." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'As governess?' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I not use it unless it is absolutely needed." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "None." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "So I have heard." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'What do you call purely nominal?' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "But you were on a friendly footing?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of walking." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Entirely.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "It surprised me." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "On the contrary, this is the right side." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that detective. "No sign of it?" such attractions and accomplishments?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She which it had come upon my father." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "But she could not love him." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And is that all?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, green of the new foliage. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "What! Had he lost his wife?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it here." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" had a long day." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been James Windibank. Voilà tout!" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at man. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, asked. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I have seen the police." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Yes, they were peculiar boots." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never it? Did I buy the geese off you?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "One of the highest in England." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened roused himself from his reverie. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "None." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot shall use the carriage to-night." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "No, I am descending." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I guessed as much." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "And what did you learn from him?" his face. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at within hail.' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, narrative." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'As governess?' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Married! When?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "And you can do nothing until then?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Yes?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Yes, it would be as well." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Holmes. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the dangers which encompass me." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than against a man in the prime of life?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "When did she vanish, then?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable main points of my analysis." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to minor matters until to-morrow." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the me. You must get home instantly and act." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I shall most certainly do so."