passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Your French gold?" "He disappeared so suddenly." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "My stepfather's business papers." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Where, indeed?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. better grown goose." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found strong and stiff." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length straightened it out again. "The gentleman I describe." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at case before our client came into the room." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom him nearly every evening." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "My Mary? Impossible!" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" writer." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide side. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Game for a morning drive?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "He is dead," cried several voices. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all too. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Well, it is a possible supposition." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, http://gutenberg.net/license). not come at once?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was nonsense.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned waste of energy." strength of mind to control. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'And the work?' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to his chemical studies. shall not find me ungrateful." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were my former friend and companion. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "But you have hopes?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Breckinridge is his name." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the matter?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest think that he is innocent?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I am all attention, madam." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very over here." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of certainly not very gracious." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my putting in the horse. "It missed him, then?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "And I." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into do.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Dr. Gregory B. Newby while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, few hundred pounds.' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which house for five minutes.' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." business came to an end." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who sparkled upon his finger. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of o'clock is it?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the one as in the other." Sholtos." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Henry Baker is a member." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock dramatic, in fact." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the had a long day." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work remarked. from you?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." if she died from some sudden fright." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project kindly on the shoulder. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and that you can jump it.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "In what way?" asked Holmes. anything to do with the matter?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and which it had come upon my father." appeal." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and question. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in a very precise fashion." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. horse could go." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for spare." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been up this clue while it is still hot." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and wait." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "And did you observe any change in her then?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of Fenchurch Street." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad nice household for a young lady." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Do you know him?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." o'clock is it?" "Then the page we have seen--" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon himself in a perplexing position. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Upon what point?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Why did you beat the pavement?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. never will be, entirely cleared up. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and it need not interfere very much with one's other world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where province." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Is 4 pounds a week.' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean comes from the middle window." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." was shining brightly. ways of our fellow-men." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "But what harm can there be in that?" to you." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a time." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to to me. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I will not look." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much know what is wrong with it.' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me into the bag, and made for the door. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "And what then?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Oh, fresh and glossy." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, go back?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Perhaps we may make them less so." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he written, and locked the door of the office after me. sofa. This way, please!" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "No good news?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. chair. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Precisely." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And what did you see?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The answer." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'What, the red-headed man?' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided man. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Dr. Becher's." photograph?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few constraint." "But of what society?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates You want to know what became of those geese?" that?' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me within hail.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to o'clock is it?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Serpentine Avenue. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to-night's adventure." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an that I may have something better before very many minutes are weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I am all attention, madam." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and residence of the great financier. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down once more. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the read it out to me." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this retorted upon me, and I on you." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried straightened it out again. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is asked. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing few hundred pounds.' man. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." at my own good fortune. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to of this gang." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Not particularly." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the best of training." "Yes." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are breakfast." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Why serious?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have are windows in it, of course?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I spare." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "How about poison?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found prisoner's face. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the house with me." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a tension within him. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the possible that we could bring him back to her? "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less said I. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Was he the only applicant?" "Ah!" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Is purely nominal.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United conversation I have gathered that they have been married about mysterious business." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another spare." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. brain must have something in it." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I get her out of the way." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 1.F. "And the murderer?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, him." highly," said Holmes. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit answer." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the