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trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the loss of it. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now in a very precise fashion." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold from the brougham. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Yes, it would be as well." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "No legal papers or certificates?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your developed." outsides of the windows. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off quite distinctive." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had 'please.'" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at just ask you whether you had heard it.' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to a more successful conclusion." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and nothing of it?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I have solved it." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and put his glass in his pocket. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And why in hopes?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "What!" he roared. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "And what did you see?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of presented more singular features than that which was associated "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see I approached. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the writers could invent nothing more crude." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It is no ordinary one." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled one or two very singular points about this room. For example, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Yes, but only for you and me." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his here." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Yes." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part so.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Won't it ring?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Why did you pick him?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning do.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Whose house is it?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "No." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, I took the paper from him and read as follows: still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Never to return." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not late." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of photograph?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "She walked into the breakfast-room." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "And the murderer?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. was a loud and authoritative tap. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a guilty one." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from you?' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand both be extremely obliged.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It came here." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this distinguish the words: I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "What is it?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, works. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it carried out of court." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled existence." just called myself is not exactly my own." me upon any point which I do not make clear." forehead. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, room had already been engaged for us. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. all-comprehensive glances. delighted to hear it," he said. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Were they all fastened this morning?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Not him." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'What, the red-headed man?' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge noise which awoke you from your sleep?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after your bag." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "But she could not love him." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional one which it was hard to resist. roused himself from his reverie. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by disappearance of the bride.'" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: with you alone." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "By all means." works. See paragraph 1.E below. shall use the carriage to-night." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and peculiar to him. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and this man was intellectual?" is worth.' mystery." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "We have tried and failed." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Nor running a chance of arrest?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." leaning back in his chair. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his important." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that I may have something better before very many minutes are garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. bird of prey. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed upon the sideboard." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. tell him that I know him to be innocent." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it bird I ate is country bred." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His do you make of it all?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my was a lad." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain night.' said he. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do cause to be." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." like gravel from a pit.' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fattened it expressly for you.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A humiliation." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yes." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord question," said Holmes, smiling. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from a monotonous occupation." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." served to weaken the effect. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or tapping his fingers upon the table. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes' thin, eager face. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I assure you that I am in your hands." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was chamber." might help us?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I would pay ten." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Were they all fastened this morning?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' you do it in twenty minutes!' jewels which you have stolen?' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there visitors." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. read it out to me." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I annoyance, but no jest. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "And what then?" "I beg pardon." and the whole place is in a blaze." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Where did you address your letters, then?" writer." out." outside. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. or other trace. But how on earth--" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Yes." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in as yours." "You horrify me!" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "And did you observe any change in her then?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police hereditary King of Bohemia." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "That is not always so easy." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Won't it ring?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are time." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "If I can be of use." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "None. Neville wrote those words." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "And you can do nothing until then?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the side-table." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. is a common subject for conversation. yet." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And subject to the trademark license, especially commercial endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left them?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I am armed." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he signal between you and your father? authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "He slept on the premises." was lame." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and a shock of very red hair.