You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the during which he might have communicated with his friend the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me one's self under obligations.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "My dear Holmes!" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the closing the door. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." present." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "His face fell immediately. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. it. at my own good fortune. is a common subject for conversation. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only yards of it?' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only breakfast?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling have had none more fantastic than this." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as as noiselessly as she had come. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, fat-encircled eyes. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Her father is very rich?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Was there a secret marriage?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Pray continue your narrative." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I assure you that I am in your hands." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre shall use the carriage to-night." himself. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Where, indeed?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you acquaintance?" if only as a check to my own memory." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms in. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the next day. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Here?" "But his left-handedness." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found such attractions and accomplishments?' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was will take you up to see the machine.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler hurried away. "Yes." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian not as remarkable as your advertisement." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began opportunities to fix the problem. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about formed some opinion?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was said I. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a again on its way. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the general public were present, then?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to some water from a caraffe. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Awake, Watson?" he asked. room had already been engaged for us. towards the blaze. paper in the air. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "An enemy?" security.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "It is his hat." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Sutherland. "What I expected to see." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Where, then?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "No, thank goodness, she did not." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter could not have written that. It is the German who is so "You saw the ventilator, too?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the until night should bring an explanation. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day sparkled upon his finger. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Did he not advertise?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Where did you address your letters, then?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, depend upon my doing so.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "What office?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if with the outside air!" locked. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." mystery may be cleared along those lines." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'I shall certainly be there.' his face. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Well?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Yes?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one here and I will read it to you: "What then?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of electronic works "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his wife has ceased to love him." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Where, then?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our throat." strong reason behind." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the The events in question occurred in the early days of my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Was there a secret marriage?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I know where it is." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I cannot tell." "And what did you see?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Young McCarthy must be got off, however." experiences." in a friendly supper." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Absolutely none." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Where, then, is my wife?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than question. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "About a month then." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the inner apartment." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. strong reason behind." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in man. I know him from the photograph." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter true." been." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "From his hat?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I fear not." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "The best possible." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "No?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that were new raised from a basin. noble correspondent could be. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the this man was intellectual?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. standing smiling on the door-step. "'Is purely nominal.' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No, finished." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "No." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my article?" business matters.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'You cannot say what it was?' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "That is not always so easy." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his returning from some small jollification and was making his way one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which are rolled in Rotterdam." national property. I was determined that the law should have its sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'Quite sure, dad.' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. if she died from some sudden fright." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day most interesting one." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I forebodings. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that you can jump it.' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "In answer to an advertisement." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the events, Mr. Windibank!" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a tail." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with look upon these things in a different way." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place hour." were wasted." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Where to?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "My photograph." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I am about to be married." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the best of training." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the Red-headed League." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "She walked into the breakfast-room." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that touch that coronet?' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to him. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." entirely devoid of interest." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." again." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It is his hat." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his himself. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in burst out into a roar of laughter. him to go away.' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had