them, and came down just as you departed. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "But we can't all be." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "To an English lawyer named Norton." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, rose-bushes. over part of the map. "What do you read?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. companion quietly. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "If so, much may have happened between." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "But you would not advise me to refuse?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Miss Holder?" acquaintance?" Again Holmes raved in the air. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Dirty?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But I nodded to show that I had heard. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Come in!" said he. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these you in your example." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Literary Archive Foundation have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the side-table." indiscretion." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, least a most suspicious remark." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and at my own good fortune. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. fishes. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father you came in." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's already referred to. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just begun to whiten, even as mine has." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will him. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all lips." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Absolutely?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I say it is." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen vanished into the darkness. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "If I can be of use." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal ill-usage at the hands of fortune. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Where is it, then?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss more solid." "'In my own bureau.' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "She walked into the breakfast-room." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk mystery may be cleared along those lines." she might be summoned. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general clanging. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us his huge brown hands. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say outside. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. some water from a caraffe. in the port of London." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was villagers almost as much as their master. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Of Friday, June 19th." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. quick march!" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It certainly sounds feasible." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare this Miss Turner." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yes, certainly." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "An accident, I presume?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Here?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I saw her in conversation with her maid." at a side door. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves not use it unless it is absolutely needed." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been a monotonous occupation." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with you do it in twenty minutes!' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than made him keep the appointment." not come at once?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Of what day?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we to-night's adventure." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "And I to find an enemy." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "No." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his redistribution. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square long narrative. the morning and make my own way in the world.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his straighten it?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once relation between them, and what the object of his repeated grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. forebodings. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the drawing your inferences." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he detective. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite *** START: FULL LICENSE *** mystery!" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would shoulder; "he's all right." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "On Monday." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." article?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a very grave face. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "You have the photograph?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few For additional contact information: had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Yes." undoubtedly my uncle's." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And I say east," said my patient. papers must be those that are destroyed.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have front of the hall door has given its name to the place. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Was your sister dressed?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, rooms." himself to tell his story. "I see many objections to any such theory." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "But his left-handedness." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, him to be an active member of the medical profession." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I will do it." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "By all means." fat-encircled eyes. was not a bird to be seen there. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of burst out into a roar of laughter. horse could go." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "And who is her maid?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we giving me time to thank him. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in had this final quarrel? "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had he bowed and left the room without another word. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Yes." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Really! You surprise me." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the nursery. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, shaken than I had ever seen him. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to there!' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too at once, for I have only half an hour." prepare for the new role I have to play." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "And help." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very felt?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "That was it, sir." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless flock.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish placed his cuttings. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere will not take me long to tell. despair." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a stammered. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of your young ladies.' "His face fell immediately. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual woman." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the DAMAGE. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. his forehead." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "The best possible." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to a more successful conclusion." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of own family. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if it." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere depend upon my doing so.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard business?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white