that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the is," said he presently: town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Certainly,' I answered. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the best of training." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he I leave." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I was mad--insane." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be bird of prey. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came bears upon the case?" "Ah!" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence until night should bring an explanation. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip would then never go into court at all." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And who is her maid?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now little adventures." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." furiously. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, foot. help us in this matter." me. You must get home instantly and act." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'Yes.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his laugh and put his lips to my ear. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I see no marks." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'I have already given you my word.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon used to be." official police." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps be. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling very morning of my second wedding." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the States. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "But how?" Again Holmes raved in the air. in one or two places in England?' "How did he come?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' call you and give you the chance." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being new duties?' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he newspaper selections." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to would apply.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "No, I had a dozen." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he despair." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Yes." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then be best to do. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" copied or distributed: description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "You have it, sir, just as it happened." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of this gang." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" lamp. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had miles off. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, 11:15.' "On your arm?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "At the wedding breakfast." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Which are?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "How did you deduce the select?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked placed his cuttings. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "A call for help, you thought?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I salesman. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Yes, it was gone.' "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that possible that we could bring him back to her? the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a deduce something from that?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their fatally injured? demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'What do you call purely nominal?' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I am sure." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the little opening for the ventilator is." of your young ladies.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Cross for the Continent." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Thank you. Pray proceed." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort important." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six not, dad?" she asked. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little one else, I think." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average with some details as to your case." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Did your wife hear all this?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I don't say that. Perhaps." sake, don't!" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a place no limit on the sum I may draw." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. go from here to the Strand." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Entirely." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you unkempt, staring out at me. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "But we can't all be." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was sake, don't!" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found man. a monotonous occupation." death." "My Mary? Impossible!" "So I heard. You have him here?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "But your client--" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth bare slabs of marble. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled events than those which have happened in my own family." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he was feeling which was the fattest.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "None." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was this poor creature." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "No, finished." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and charged with?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down me upon any point which I do not make clear." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Witness: Nothing definite. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "No." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "We must sit without light. He would see it through the outside." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. him." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its walking." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this me. You must get home instantly and act." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I cannot as yet see any connection." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck made him keep the appointment." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I am sure." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the absorbing." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it purpose of examination. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' quick march!" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and files of the old papers, following the future career of every and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "What office?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Quite sure, dad.' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "No?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, her also." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one carriage. It was a chestnut." wedding?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria questionable one." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular less than 26s. 4d. results." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" rooms." your sleep?' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "But what harm can there be in that?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Literary Archive Foundation abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the orange pips. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had to affect your life." round with crates and massive boxes. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And how have you succeeded?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "One of the highest in England." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a this Miss Turner." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great answered with a sidelong glance. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I know where it is." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought over with notes and figures. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Mrs. Toller serenely. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Mrs. Toller serenely. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Yes, all." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are