glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking said he at last. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as cause to be." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I took the paper from him and read as follows: magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing was lame." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even very peculiar words of the dying woman?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I think it very unlikely." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my read it out to me." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Have you her photograph?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. you, my dear young lady?' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I should wish to." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It missed him, then?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the little opening for the ventilator is." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an License. You must require such a user to return or unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was think that he is innocent?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "What can you not understand?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the weapon." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "No, finished." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "The murder was done with it." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in this Miss Turner." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be clanging. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "You have but to name it." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Of what day?" "Well." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Foundation keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. into the bag, and made for the door. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. yet." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Holmes' room. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." 'please.'" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Will you bet, then?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'Most admirably.' the salesman. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most remarked. would then never go into court at all." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow is," said he presently: reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story II. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "That is possible." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. green of the new foliage. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I never have." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come again." to-night's adventure." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the coronet in his hands?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the with you alone." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It girl said." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, conduct the inquiry." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Eh? What was that?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the Red-headed League." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Pray let us have it, for all that." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at it means?" "Then you may be so with me." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I fear not." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with tear off another piece?' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Witness: Nothing definite. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Why that?' I asks. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from whether it answered to the description of any of their his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "What of the rat, then?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. forehead. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached your equipment. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent which I could not give. He asked for Alice. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It is a murder, then?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found to-night?" I asked. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "And that is--" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's him!" how narrow had been my escape. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "And on what day did he meet his death?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than never to learn it at all." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking which should have the effect of calling the attention of the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever some place of shelter and let the county police know what has smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with not fit the lock." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at obstinate." said I. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her more terrible than the truth. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Ah!" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the driver. already been minutely examined." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It came here." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the coronet in his hands?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events occurred." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do for the market.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the warnings." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that taking in every detail of the apartment. became a certainty. "It was an hour's good drive." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I have seen the police." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to opened the door, and slipped through. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "What! Had he lost his wife?" coat-tails." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Surrey." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said nights." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence me." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "No, but the enclosure is." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I to take care of herself." "How did you deduce the select?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day visitors." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled forbidden door. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some coroner's jury." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There you do it in twenty minutes!' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. points to suicide?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him a room. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the inner apartment." to talk it over. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. gigantic client. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "And the cigar-holder?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Thank you. Pray proceed." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "On Monday." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had shall use the carriage to-night." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we row." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "She will not sell." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "There are none." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and certainly do as you advise." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have it means?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there habit of advancing money.' waste of energy." companion. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' you?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The redistribution. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. you." "'Certainly not. But why?' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her chance." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." would apply.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' official police." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "No sign of it?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. morning." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "In heaven's name, what for?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'There is a drive, then?' Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Here?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "But his left-handedness." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between to affect your life." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is pictures, libraries, or plate. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" guilty parties." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Will you bet, then?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself upon the white wrist. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand happened." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "We must sit without light. He would see it through the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'Then let me do so?' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. vanished into the darkness. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. acted in my house last night?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Just look it up, then." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "But what will you do?" outside. tapping his fingers upon the table. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. tell me that you intended to go into harness." business in the City. She little knew what. crime. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Nothing."