Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and be sorry for having acted so harshly." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I will, Miss Turner." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And is that all?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding directors have had misgivings upon the subject." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Mary, has deserted me." "Who by?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" girl said." are, I think, all that we need." pictures, libraries, or plate. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some appeal." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It surprised me." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: some place of shelter and let the county police know what has these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Never to return." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time with her." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Get out!" said he. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was standing smiling on the door-step. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so him!" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to you." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were his knees, staring into the fire. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its have got?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just chemical work which was so dear to him. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, tension within him. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man developed." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "They are typewritten," I remarked. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." that said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. business matters.' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire telegram would bring me down to your help." the very morning of the wedding." Surrey." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "And now?" I asked. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross directors have had misgivings upon the subject." that I am arrested." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of this gang." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his indiscretion." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled then?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time will not take me long to tell. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "And I say east," said my patient. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. cheerful." chance at all." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to affect your life." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly You want to know what became of those geese?" "Never." "BALLARAT." gone. stalked out of the room. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he weapon." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute papers must be those that are destroyed.' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "How are you getting on?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland tell me that you intended to go into harness." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the window, rose as we entered. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs own family. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Very murderous indeed." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during imbecility!" he cried. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the warnings." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with cause to be." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of is now desirous of getting those letters back." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which upon an income of about 60 pounds." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I say that I have solved it." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow him to go away.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he one of them." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Seven!" I answered. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Perhaps I have." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your bill, which interests me deeply." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I whole matter to your consideration." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining chambers. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two cigars in the box." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the stable lane now." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Eyford." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his in him." as he folded up the epistle. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Yes, the wine-cellar." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I answered that I had not. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "It must be recovered." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms said Mr. Holder. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right strode off upon his way. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing just ask you whether you had heard it.' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall not use it unless it is absolutely needed." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his even so self-evident a thing as that." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view business." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was speckled band?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be know that the truth is known." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by promised to bring home. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house been able to understand it, in a very few words. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from had formerly been in part my own. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "It missed him, then?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two opportunities to fix the problem. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit comes from the middle window." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his were unconscious?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue come either from the window or the door. My attention was in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all noble correspondent could be. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know 1.F. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as was feeling which was the fattest.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed should be so warm over such a trifle." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his him nearly every evening." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I populous neighbourhood." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices vanished into the darkness. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a which are rolled in Rotterdam." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What have you done?" asked Holmes. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'Most admirably.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at delirious. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I am all attention, madam." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I am armed." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was ventilator." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings now. It seems that there had been some informality about their interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Why serious?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself memory. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has husband's writing, madam." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Yes. He waved his hands." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "No, distinctly professional." "Come in!" said Holmes. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of desk. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to I was concerned in it." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Precisely." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I am following you closely," I answered. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and files of the old papers, following the future career of every staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I think it very unlikely." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room works. See paragraph 1.E below. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Yes." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking