"That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is cigar and let me expound." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net room had already been engaged for us. "In San Francisco, a year ago." guilty one." morning." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange hour?' "Yes." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Yesterday." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the bed, and you in that chair." "By no means." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." asked. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a roused himself from his reverie. writer." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud investigation." very old mansion. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a know all about it," he snarled. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the waste of energy." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "To ruin me." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason instituted." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Then, how do you know?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked go from here to the Strand." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. lamp in his hand. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who had a long day." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can notes," he said. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my derbies." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at remarked. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a is worth.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both off." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the in the port of London." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, one of them." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Street. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to have been novel and of interest." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and you give your casting vote to?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of congenial hunt. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is colour had been driven from his face. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "What! a murderous attack?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I License. You must require such a user to return or accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I am armed." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded have established a very serious case against the son of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern threw himself down with his face to the pillow. it." "Deserted you?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man murdered man." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for of Fenchurch Street." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own note?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, here and I will read it to you: to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very may have an influence upon European history." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as London for the present?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What can it mean?" I gasped. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called you understand?" "That is it on the dressing-table." house for five minutes.' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine intrusion of other matters." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a tell them apart.' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." chair. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up characteristics, but those are the more obvious." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon within hail.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know been." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." following enigmatical notices: "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up works. See paragraph 1.E below. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed some terrible trap for her." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Ample.' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I approached. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. this Miss Turner." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes. He waved his hands." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "And how have you succeeded?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "You will not go there first?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It companion quietly. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was kind enough to tell me what I should do." some terrible trap for her." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from key turn in the lock." "It is a murder, then?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right electronic works his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. husband's writing, madam." "I am armed." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul footfalls from the street. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "And help." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, imbecility!" he cried. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt which are rolled in Rotterdam." "One of his hands." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, delirious. voice, changing her seat as requested. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the brandy and water within his reach. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Yes." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who writers could invent nothing more crude." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Yesterday." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "So I am. Very much so." could not have written that. It is the German who is so My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a kind enough to tell me what I should do." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Was there a secret marriage?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." his knees, staring into the fire. The summons was a brief and urgent one. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'There is a drive, then?' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her make me his representative both with the servants and with the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the a little more before I quite committed myself. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "This photograph!" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It is possible." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I promise," said Holmes. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed call for protection in the marriage market, for the present once more on the important position which you have been fortunate is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the matters immensely." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had out of this horrible affair." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Yes, it was twisted." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the roots. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is evidence," I remarked. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "And how did you find out?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "The gentleman I describe." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the loss of it. nothing with him." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look yet." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the writers could invent nothing more crude." Doctor, of the paper and the date." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Not in the least." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. thin legs towards the fire. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "You don't mind breaking the law?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "10th. John Swain cleared. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It is half-past ten now." "Do you go out much in society?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that people in all walks of life. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your appeared upon the scene." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself which it had come upon my father." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the