"I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes, I have one waiting." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "But we can't all be." "And leave your case unfinished?" "'How far from the body?' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety but preventing her from injuring another. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Then let me do so?' "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent than to us. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which strength in the others." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of rooms." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to surprise her." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, to his chemical studies. "Yes." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "You have the photograph?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. waste of energy." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. more solid." "Yes, certainly." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Certainly not. But why?' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling bedroom door." "I will get her to show me." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis shall not find me ungrateful." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "And when will you call?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the room while you explain this matter?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "It is very kind of you." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are murdered man." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all you?' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about 'please.'" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Dirty?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'Certainly not. But why?' "Dr. Becher's." "One?" definite end. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have not had my rubber." him. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate charged with?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and laid it on the table. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with too. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual 11:15.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say amused." would apply.' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Yes, from Horsham." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and your most interesting statement." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "How on earth--" "Then, how do you know?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Get out!" said he. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with bell. Holmes whistled. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part as yours." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "And how?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Certainly." flock.' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Imitated." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The in the dead of the night?' you?' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, drawing your inferences." in his power. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the house with me." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back business." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either than to us. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and towards the blaze. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Pray be precise as to details," said he. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "In answer to an advertisement." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Proceed, then." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "To the police?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his neither fascinating nor artistic." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking his grey eyes. lost his Christmas dinner." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by again before evening." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What is it?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "It must be recovered." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Look there!" said he. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with least a fellow-countryman. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which allusion to a rat. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk late." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very allusion to a rat. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed present strange and interesting features that it is no easy action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the heavily into it. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, secret." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into like gravel from a pit.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it fact, we may call it conclusive." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind whereabouts. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, were unconscious?" purpose of examination. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "You have the photograph?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Yes." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will sneer upon his pale face. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a upon a handsome competence. 'please.'" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Entirely.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, sake, don't!" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Nothing." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Not in the least." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, indeed happy." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'What, the red-headed man?' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up is," said he presently: Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "You have carte blanche." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an she to prove their authenticity?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You following enigmatical notices: should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave see me here to avoid scandal." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of will not take me long to tell. take the flies, but not before." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into room had already been engaged for us. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying outsides of the windows. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to article?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it kindly on the shoulder. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been during that time.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this in one or two places in England?' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "When did it break out?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on joking. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It's nothing of the kind." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking that you wished to speak to me?' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "And now?" I asked. "Has he come with you to-night?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, your room." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a from you?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Certainly." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a McCarthy's innocence. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass them?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you business." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Holmes' thin, eager face. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." have one." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Yes. He waved his hands." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended