the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me spark where all is dark to me." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the once more to my work. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me shadow pass over his face as I spoke. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not village inn over there?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down I nodded to show that I had heard. States. "Who was the criminal, then?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "No." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera questioning and rather startled gaze. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that highly," said Holmes. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I has little to do with my story." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his companion. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Who was the criminal, then?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I came to find a friend." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "That is it on the dressing-table." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Eh? What was that?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are direction." "Then I am your man." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and upon an income of about 60 pounds." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would pierced for earrings?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and one's self under obligations.' detective. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the allusion to a rat. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts to arrive at through this?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a with you alone." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'I have already given you my word.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning ashen face. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Stolen." he died? Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man mysterious end." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I cannot think." "But I have heard all that you have heard." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Then I shall certainly come." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Will you go?" out." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "His face fell immediately. "The murder was done with it." your troubles." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and looked back. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the It may be so in this case, also." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a interest. They are important, you understand, without being such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the warnings." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Yes." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the closing the door. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. not as remarkable as your advertisement." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you that there was nothing in it, after all." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." his fortune, and I went back to pa. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to you." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to served to weaken the effect. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could at home. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo about. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'I shall certainly be there.' foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would unprecedented a position." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Thank you. And your address?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back spark where all is dark to me." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. me. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." do." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my more terrible than the truth. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but kindly on the shoulder. "You know me, then?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which other, as fresh and trim as possible. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have chamber." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all one of them." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved easy-going way." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Witness: I must still refuse. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." way in." within hail.' would then never go into court at all." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an depend upon my doing so.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored What do you deduce from it?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Yes." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was conduct the inquiry." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may opportunities to fix the problem. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I will get her to show me." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I would pay ten." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of his face which made him a very different person to the round, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Precisely." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Was he the only applicant?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. problems help me to do so." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at to-night's adventure." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "An enemy?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "And Irene Adler?" was lame." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of distinguish the words: The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. him." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "At the wedding breakfast." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said writer." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the maiden herself was most instructive." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Precisely." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' official police." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock good for you to do.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. all-comprehensive glances. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "She walked into the breakfast-room." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "My last client of the sort was a king." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about case-book, which he consulted. is acting for the best. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I chambers. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and was keenly on my guard against him. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Stolen." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace strength." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was some water from a caraffe. to miss it." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "The King of Scandinavia." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "I think that I had better go, Holmes." I shall continue with my miserable story. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." envelope. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From few hundred pounds.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was woman." "And the murderer?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "You are hungry," I remarked. "And you thought he was pulled back?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events relief. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Indeed! Whose, then?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." was lame." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him thin legs towards the fire. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I see many objections to any such theory." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up laugh and put his lips to my ear. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Countess of Morcar's?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up good-night and bustled off upon her way. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which upon a handsome competence. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Eyford." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I have seen the police." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and inquire as to the address." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." to-night?" I asked. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his case before our client came into the room." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Chief Executive and Director St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "And you thought he was pulled back?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'How far from the body?' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Where did you address your letters, then?" spare." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. gbnewby@pglaf.org steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The decline of his fortunes, then?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black case-book, which he consulted. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent which are rolled in Rotterdam."