such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the salesman. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which at a side door. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Your sister is dead, then?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I answered that I had not. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The in a friendly supper." the bottom.' never came back." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Then I am your man." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of examine." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "By all means." hands. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "What then?" asked with his eyes open. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "There are none." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Where does the thing come from?' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from wife's character?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional that, and I came down." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Her father is very rich?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Why serious?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and the colonel ushered me in. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Was she in good spirits?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I cannot imagine." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes The King stared at him in amazement. your equipment. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an unprecedented a position." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He crackling voice. following enigmatical notices: the address that was given us in the advertisement. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "He said too much." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "But it has twice been burgled." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Yes, but only for you and me." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he with you?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "And on what day did he meet his death?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the definite end. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I hair?' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "VIOLET HUNTER." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it do.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few may have an influence upon European history." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "And how did he make his money?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the tragedy. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "10th. John Swain cleared. and laid it on the table. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "One of the highest in England." we went to search for him, face downward in a little 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Yes." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we bare slabs of marble. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ me where it went to?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Yes." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Stolen." "'Is purely nominal.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and carpenter." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "But you were on a friendly footing?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the station." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and put his glass in his pocket. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the photograph?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to your most interesting statement." kind enough to tell me what I should do." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood miles off. that I may have something better before very many minutes are his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my shall not find me ungrateful." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in placed his cuttings. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, crackling voice. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very acquaintance?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds noble correspondent could be. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Well, it is a possible supposition." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has straighten it?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." ago." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "And how did you verify them?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes, sir." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Pray let us have it, for all that." him." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "I was certainly surprised to find you there." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Of what?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. reach." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "A greater distance to travel." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work directors, with the result that you have seen." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Won't it ring?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was writers could invent nothing more crude." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! my little problems." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing strange features which were associated with the two crimes which deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. of the vacancies.' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "The landlord of the Alpha." arrested. You then--" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "And did you observe any change in her then?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "What then?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes, all." dates and names. fire. You quite follow me?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly one of them." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Where did you address your letters, then?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "And for present expenses?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I should wish to." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the cost them two and thirty pounds." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and village inn over there?" for its centre. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the there is a decided draught." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's room had already been engaged for us. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's keep the flames under. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were mysterious business." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be other, as fresh and trim as possible. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are everything which you would wish to know." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I think that it is very probable." the tragedy. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so following enigmatical notices: digesting their breakfasts at home." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." in the hope of finding them." taking in every detail of the apartment. to have been novel and of interest." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I have solved it." straightened it out again. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or him, that man would not have given me such complete information space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "But his left-handedness." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Who by?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Was your sister dressed?" his cane at the bell-pull. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Stolen." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian indeed which he could not unravel. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the him and tried to hold him back. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which begun to whiten, even as mine has." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "His face fell immediately. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Leave Paddington by the 11:15." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "You think so, too?" What do you deduce from it?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "And how?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for where we are going." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and capable of preserving a secret.' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. populous neighbourhood." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a noting anything else of interest. see a sister of mine apply for." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any spare." "And when will you call?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, best detective that ever lived. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the done what I asked you, Jones?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think During two years I have had three consultations and one small brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I delirious. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. get the tickets." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of carpenter." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about house for five minutes.' ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes is now desirous of getting those letters back." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You think that he is dead?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round,