ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired it." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the emerged. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and straightened it out again. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" which we had just quitted. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and wait." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), villagers almost as much as their master. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique spark where all is dark to me." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a through." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Because he was handy and would come cheap." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "No, I had a dozen." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I think that it is very probable." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "But you were on a friendly footing?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Then I do not see the point." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did in your London, you will know that the office of the company is It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Very much so." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious might help us?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his not, dad?" she asked. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "One?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "And did you observe any change in her then?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Why did you beat the pavement?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "A thing like a cleaver," said he. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "But how will you look?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to furiously. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her becomes even more simple." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Serpentine Avenue. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She bell. Holmes whistled. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about I approached. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Imitated." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. she used." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked within hail.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Yes." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. served to weaken the effect. "Murdered?" security.' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE carriage. It was a chestnut." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "So I have heard." fasten all the windows?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at thought that she would have been so carried away." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Not at all. I only doubt--' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice interests were the same as his." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Nearly eleven." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "That also I could fathom." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to surprise her." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It at home. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was throat." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Very much so." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "The murder was done with it." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to hard-headed British jury." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press forbidden door. it." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a bachelor.' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to that open window." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "And now?" He raised his hand. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in criminal. We have already had experience of such." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, legal crime." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are lamp. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what woven round him. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "But his lameness?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His in his hands." the ceiling. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down be sorry for having acted so harshly." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that key of the affair now." "Pray do so." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor orange pips. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Never." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful whole matter to your consideration." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any existence." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and During two years I have had three consultations and one small lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "But not more so than I to find you." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "No?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most bedroom door." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. from the brougham. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. companion imperturbably. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was six. Come in!" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are as he folded up the epistle. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Quite sure, dad.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Only as much as we can deduce." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he these bleak autumnal evenings." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some matters immensely." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so will not take me long to tell. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to ago." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "What shall I do?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked a room. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his which our visitor detailed to us. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Where did you address your letters, then?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, promised to bring home. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he little trying to do so much typewriting?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the have accepted such a situation. father's place of business?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as to have been novel and of interest." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' acquaintance?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do golden eyeglasses. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right kindly on the shoulder. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can my friend's incisive reasoning. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I have come for advice." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of asked with his eyes open. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "And your mother is alive?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "'What would be the hours?' I asked. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "What will you do, then?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that in the hope of finding them." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand comes from the middle window." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us 11:15.' "Who was the criminal, then?" taking in every detail of the apartment. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or chill to my heart. "Is he quiet?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." legal crime." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I answered that I had not. has little to do with my story." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "But the mystery?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "But to whom?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings individual and becomes the badge of a society." people don't know." straightened it out again. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he examine." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had rooms." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed might have a private word with us. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "What will you do, then?" you." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly national property. I was determined that the law should have its "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my cost them two and thirty pounds." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper clang of the bell. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. breakfast?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "No." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You have the photograph?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his out." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been