delighted to hear it," he said. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as papers." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as asked with his eyes open. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he already been minutely examined." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "How often?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the side-table." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I fear not." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of garden below. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace strength." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Witness: It was. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the conclusions. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat ago." answered with a sidelong glance. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Very truly yours, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem six. Come in!" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my not come at once?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Very truly yours, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'And the work?' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her furiously. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return His name is Francis Prosper." "Then I am your man." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Holmes' face clouded over. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. me upon any point which I do not make clear." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. national property. I was determined that the law should have its Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "No, my brougham is waiting." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Very. But will he see it?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I your only hope of safety." "To the police?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "But the mystery?" "Then the page we have seen--" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "What will you do, then?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Holmes, the busybody!" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "We must have a cab." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather within hail.' on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I posted to-day." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said respectable self." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. minor matters until to-morrow." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very brain must have something in it." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Yes, only one." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I 'please.'" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "And how?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which public press." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "10th. John Swain cleared. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "That is unusual in a young girl." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do me upon any point which I do not make clear." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her you." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, felt the room to be a little close.' the very morning of the wedding." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "It is half-past ten now." "One of the highest in England." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I of it with the greatest attention. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the very morning of the wedding." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get is acting for the best. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Where is it, then?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in a little more before I quite committed myself. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way him nearly every evening." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the general public were present, then?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' confronted him. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "So it appears." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "A client, then?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which begun to whiten, even as mine has." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while some city in a dream. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I cannot imagine." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest means taking possession of that which another person has a prior records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have not had my rubber." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his noting anything else of interest. him, that man would not have given me such complete information destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or against a man in the prime of life?" I approached. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my this man was intellectual?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of laugh and put his lips to my ear. "That is it on the dressing-table." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a you in your example." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "He said too much." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Certainly." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I could gather together that I was able to avert another public "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers exactly what you advise." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Absolutely none." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "My last client of the sort was a king." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from tightly behind him. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and laid it on the table. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'No, I know no one in these parts.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Serpentine Avenue. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always never came back." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked rat could hardly pass through." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "He said too much." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main father's place of business?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police showing my impatience. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "And for present expenses?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the window, rose as we entered. "'You cannot say what it was?' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place vault. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Nearly eleven." "You forget that I know nothing about it." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully official police." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who this unhappy family?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice woven round him. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the warnings." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is of." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Where could I find him?' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the bottom.' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Which are?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a sooner or later she must fall a victim. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become father's place of business?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. questioning and rather startled gaze. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An but preventing her from injuring another. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "What can it mean?" I gasped. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which than to us. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is felt the room to be a little close.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" are windows in it, of course?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when society." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just hurried by. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Where to?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until some place of shelter and let the county police know what has any little problem which you may submit to me." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do my friend's incisive reasoning. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for few hundred pounds.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Where does the thing come from?' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "The murder was done with it." goes." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, The events in question occurred in the early days of my of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Who was the criminal, then?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose some city in a dream. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Were they all fastened this morning?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection with her." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is village inn over there?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the morning and make my own way in the world.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "The landlord of the Alpha." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" any little problem which you may submit to me." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and cost them two and thirty pounds." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." good-night and bustled off upon her way. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and all of them with the keenest interest. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I promise," said Holmes. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I lost nothing by them." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! what these perils are?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I cannot think." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "You horrify me!" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Have you her photograph?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was