"I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And Irene Adler?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "But not more so than I to find you." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we true." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Eh? What was that?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of your troubles." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were forehead. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, companion imperturbably. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of do.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I was certainly surprised to find you there." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is electronic works who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it union?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round was a loud and authoritative tap. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." roused himself from his reverie. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." writers could invent nothing more crude." words came to my lips. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen guilty one." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the tragedy. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small green of the new foliage. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming who was a member of your goose club." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I should be immensely obliged to you." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Two days later this same performance was gone through under social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not becomes even more simple." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were were wasted." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and eat it." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a yards of it?' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me served to weaken the effect. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune The telegram which we eventually received came late one night yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the nursery. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "What, then?" "My last client of the sort was a king." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings one else, I think." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Nothing?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked works. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the or other trace. But how on earth--" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'Where could I find him?' in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which this poor creature." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. strength." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the to-night's adventure." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and your relations to her." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to with you?" "What then?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" here and I will read it to you: between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I say it is." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my papers must be those that are destroyed.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'About the same.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others outbreak?" which we had just quitted. photograph?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if man. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." definite end. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "And that is--" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss to take care of herself." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, appeal." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I never have." the roots. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that to tell." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed was it brought him the coronet? all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I cannot say that I have." tell me that you intended to go into harness." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime bedroom door." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "But what is it you wish?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old like gravel from a pit.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who trying to your nerves." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Sutherland?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Holmes. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the salesman. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Then the page we have seen--" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal really the only notable feature about the thing." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the there when the Rucastles went away." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "My last client of the sort was a king." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." train.' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "By no means." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew feature." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, in a friendly supper." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I was mad--insane." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Do you go out much in society?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a important." "So it appears." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I am about to be married." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal ready to-morrow?' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, do.' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: front of me. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close case before our client came into the room." "But how?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Yes." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling gbnewby@pglaf.org possible that we could bring him back to her? India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The murder was done with it." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the window, rose as we entered. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' bedroom door." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you opened the door, and slipped through. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they imbecility!" he cried. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as back alive. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom ready to-morrow?' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Pray continue your narrative." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty trifles." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening as the one I chose?' He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and capable of preserving a secret.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "How are you getting on?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, time." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the joking. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. any." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months woman." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Gutenberg-tm License. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "But of what society?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the ceiling. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Yes." "It is very clear." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small in the hope of finding them." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit dramatic, in fact." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I came to find a friend." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you father's place of business?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more one which it was hard to resist. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I beg pardon." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull have not had my rubber." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my It may be so in this case, also." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the notes," he said. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have window when the police appeared." shaken than I had ever seen him. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "May I see it?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and forehead. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it some city in a dream. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the memory. "'Where could I find him?' wedding?"