seem to you to be relevant or not." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "By all means." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. depend upon your compliance." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "What is it?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Bought." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend himself in a perplexing position. instituted." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Yes." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project golden eyeglasses. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do me. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, imbecility!" he cried. business?" keep the flames under. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you must be when I saw the door open.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his obstinate." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. electronic works your billet.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Ah!" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my wedding?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the loss of it. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the iron safe, which he closed upon it. already been minutely examined." is four-and-twenty." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I am still in the dark." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" passage and a tap at the door. without a word or a look. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite it. hour." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at been with you?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Pope's Court. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Tired-looking or fresh?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that you for a few hours?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "The doctor?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's paper in the air. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a that?' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." sparkled upon his finger. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and signal between you and your father? status with the IRS. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Certainly." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of bled considerably." returned to France?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. cigars in the box." "What! Had he lost his wife?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes place, I think that there is good ground to think that the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow ceremony." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in indiscretion." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem which I could not give. He asked for Alice. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. present." "Then I can wait in the next room." "Was your sister dressed?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to went to the Alpha were town bred." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. he bowed and left the room without another word. to take care of herself." that there was nothing in it, after all." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a out of this horrible affair." way in." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the address that was given us in the advertisement. ago." strong reason behind." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And happened." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client might help us?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Very. But will he see it?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You are hungry," I remarked. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "And that is--" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper during the last few years, and there are many noble families to before the coroner and the police-court." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. burst out into a roar of laughter. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "But how did you gain them?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the to that open window." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last himself to tell his story. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly his forehead." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own information in his hands the value of which he did not himself it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "No, I am descending." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of tear off another piece?' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "No." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "The rest you will leave in our hands." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't closely." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. to you." the window, rose as we entered. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. congratulate you again." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Never,' said I. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'In my own bureau.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" not come at once?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand been shamefully used." fat-encircled eyes. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the child." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" never came back." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug unclasping of his long thin hands. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Was your sister dressed?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 she might be summoned. "I beg pardon." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and a shock of very red hair. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate of your young ladies.' surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have to arrive at through this?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. His smile broadened. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, relief. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and IS should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Yes, certainly." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little For additional contact information: just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had their singular warning or token before them when starting upon his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." lumber-room." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain narrative." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have definite end. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon wedding?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "My dear Holmes!" there!' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "It surprised me." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. excitement. disappearance of the bride.'" purpose equally well?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; really the only notable feature about the thing." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Never to return." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and upon the white wrist. was used.' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between bird I ate is country bred." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It is his hat." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a out." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I was mad--insane." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "The landlord of the Alpha." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. cup of tea. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather in this way: collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss outside." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in straightened it out again. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I cannot say that I have." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "The Coroner: What do you mean? him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "A client, then?" October 9, 1890. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the warnings." "Get out!" said he. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the better grown goose." showing my impatience. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore despair." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet It may be so in this case, also." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg joking. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local done what I asked you, Jones?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Clair, of Lee." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before appointment with me for six o'clock?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "They are typewritten," I remarked.