"Dr. Becher's." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "But she could not love him." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Then, how do you know?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called back alive. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No, distinctly professional." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly distance from the station, and there we found the young lady firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "My stepfather's business papers." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like closing the door. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Tired-looking or fresh?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless hair?' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose over with notes and figures. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "You forget that I know nothing about it." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had outbreak?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "What steps will you take?" I asked. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "What! a murderous attack?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Mary, has deserted me." such attractions and accomplishments?' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in galvanised. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. sound at heart." "No bad?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" him and tried to hold him back. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three ourselves in the office." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the McCarthy." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "It is very clear." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have I gained?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to that he will be back before evening." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less extraordinary contortions. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "And why in hopes?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying felt?" back alive. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a emerged. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "But he might be a bachelor." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "No, my brougham is waiting." friend's singular character. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Foundation to talk it over. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "It missed him, then?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "What! a murderous attack?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. know all about it," he snarled. "No sign of it?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "How about poison?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds thought that she would have been so carried away." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the nursery. "Yes." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two where we are going." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began have one." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you late!' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and it were putty." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no clang of the bell. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall was once confined in the cab my mission was practically still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Upon what point?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. all-comprehensive glances. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Could he throw no light?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." learned something! Where are the gems?" "No. What a strange idea!" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "In answer to an advertisement." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "What! You do not mean bodies?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Yes, sir." wedding?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Literary Archive Foundation retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and morning." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to spare." charged with?" the date of his supposed suicide." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "So it appears." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the him to go away.' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she simple cases which are so extremely difficult." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the coronet in his hand?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in breakfast." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time not within a twentieth part of the market price." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down important." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such said he. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "A call for help, you thought?" "I shall be delighted." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the tragedy. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and cigars in their mouths. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he arrested. You then--" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry must compliment you." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an until night should bring an explanation. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by danger is over." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she was a perfect sample of the class. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but breakfast." for securing the situation." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. colonel looking down at me. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange unclasping of his long thin hands. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This views." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of 'please.'" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was discontent upon his features. call for it in person on Monday morning.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of receipt of the work. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I will get her to show me." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to tackle the facts." prepare for the new role I have to play." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Certainly not. But why?' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are nonsense.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It is very kind of you." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock off." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual orange pips. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Come in!" said he. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Certainly." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' trying to your nerves." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I flock.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the little opening for the ventilator is." were unconscious?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I answered that I had not. acquaintance?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Really! You surprise me." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I have it here in my museum." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." even of instruction." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with which I could not give. He asked for Alice. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I am following you closely," I answered. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and to miss it." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Then I am your man." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of mysterious business." I have it here in my museum." floor. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad at my remark. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "The rest you will leave in our hands." "To ruin me." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "But his lameness?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the child." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Most admirably.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have remarked. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Of Friday, June 19th." friend's singular character. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the side-table." memory. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. appeal." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he door?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to them?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Not I." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You have compromised yourself seriously." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police