"There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an address. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a thirty. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hands. "I shall most certainly do so." "Did he not advertise?" thought that she would have been so carried away." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "If so, much may have happened between." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Yes, sir." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem any more." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I fear not." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she nonsense.' his wife has ceased to love him." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'And the work?' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a that, and I came down." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." time." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Murdered?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "But I am all in the dark." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over hardly wander." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "What is it?" detective. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It surprised me." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes where we are going." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "I will do it." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head head. So long, then!" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any since then to throw any light upon what became of him." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no any little problem which you may submit to me." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he room had already been engaged for us. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I to that open window." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and laid it on the table. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the newspaper selections." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every copied or distributed: and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "The best possible." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon room had already been engaged for us. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, you in your example." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "And how in the world did you find them?" man. I know him from the photograph." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of said I. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." way: "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I say it is." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Ah, but I was recommended to you." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks neither fascinating nor artistic." "No bad?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was without a word or a look. true." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a to surprise her." III. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Eh? What was that?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this respectable self." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly said I. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all important." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "No." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "He said that you could solve anything." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Yes." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose legal crime." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own an introduction to him?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Oh, fresh and glossy." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I least a most suspicious remark." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' morning." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have one or two very singular points about this room. For example, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a could go. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each already been minutely examined." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my outside." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I official police." "'Where to?' "It certainly sounds feasible." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. until night should bring an explanation. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some correct than the official force." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Nothing." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: threw himself down with his face to the pillow. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and him to go away.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must disturbance in my wife." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in congenial hunt. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new acted in my house last night?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not hand, madam?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very happened." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "You have carte blanche." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the keep the flames under. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been that I can to serve you." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "At half-wages, in fact." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I think it very unlikely." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter suddenly upon us." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several newspaper selections." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I have solved it." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very all?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud was it brought him the coronet? complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Did you observe the colour?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but his knees, staring into the fire. "You saw the ventilator, too?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too fishes. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Well, some hundreds of times." "Game for a morning drive?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "To an end?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I allusion to a rat. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Well, but China?" outside." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I do." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt secret." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the coronet in his hand?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's your only hope of safety." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, within hail.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It is very clear." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "How did that help you?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My in his power. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "9th. McCauley cleared. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "How did you deduce the select?" system of imprisonment?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to strong and stiff." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I would give my fortune to have them back." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. that you saw all that I did." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does interests were the same as his." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase went to the Alpha were town bred." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Murdered?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in annoyance, but no jest. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's careless servant girl?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "And how did you find out?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "And leave your case unfinished?" matter." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry instituted." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "But how?" again." him and tried to hold him back. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "In answer to an advertisement." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. not fit the lock." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a over with notes and figures. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "On your arm?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of campaign. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a I am not easy in my mind about them." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as affection." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to success. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the room while you explain this matter?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "How did you deduce the select?" the Assizes." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close good-night and bustled off upon her way. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it tassel actually lying upon the pillow. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and said he. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the that you wished to speak to me?' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a that threaten you."