hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of campaign. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so my room." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon business?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "It is solved." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the shall not find me ungrateful." forehead. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and files of the old papers, following the future career of every congenial hunt. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and shall not find me ungrateful." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Stolen." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is strength in the others." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and better in every way that they should make their position a little face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his bird of prey. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "BALLARAT." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "And sit in the dark?" it were putty." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "None." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Yesterday." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram envelope. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "My dear Holmes!" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she photograph a cabinet?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of the vacancies.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. I nodded to show that I had heard. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Witness: It was. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a to you." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing later, upon the night of May 2nd." excitement. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes, but only for you and me." directors, with the result that you have seen." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "And why?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Yes." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "But what harm can there be in that?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in row." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned do you make of it all?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "You are all wrong." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two details." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a written, and locked the door of the office after me. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her desk. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than bedroom door." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Gutenberg-tm License. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the one as in the other." gbnewby@pglaf.org lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of out." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Where, indeed?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Then I shall certainly come." maid will bring up your coffee." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Holmes rather sternly. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those conduct the inquiry." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Not in the least." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Holmes' room. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One house for five minutes.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the are windows in it, of course?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." been." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt again before evening." any little problem which you may submit to me." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I shall most certainly do so." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at been deceived." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' placed his cuttings. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of I think that I could be of assistance to you." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were or other trace. But how on earth--" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of his shoulders. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been knowledge of the world." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching said Mr. Holder. returning from some small jollification and was making his way address. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I have a cab outside." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself burst out into a roar of laughter. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his advice." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the national property. I was determined that the law should have its went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I am in hopes that she does." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I think that it is very probable." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method soul! here is her carriage at the door." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the little opening for the ventilator is." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture main points of my analysis." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little burst out into a roar of laughter. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no your equipment. dear old homesteads?" "Entirely." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held there when the Rucastles went away." correct than the official force." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I assure you that I am in your hands." Holmes." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which there were one or two details which were new to me. But the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Pray continue your narrative." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Yes." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Stolen, then." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. your bag." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of key turn in the lock." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his awaited us upon the table. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Where did you address your letters, then?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I fear not." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you weapon." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "On your arm?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them her also." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "How can you tell that?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "No, I think that I'll take it." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to spare." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A one which it was hard to resist. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "You horrify me." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every to-night." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with any little problem which you may submit to me." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and one of them." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." points to suicide?" "No more words. Get out!" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional *** START: FULL LICENSE *** my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "But he might be a bachelor." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A really the only notable feature about the thing." "I answered that I had not. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "By train from Waterloo." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Deserted you?" directly by questioning you." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Holmes' room. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Entirely.' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Pray do so." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I derbies." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. asked. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer swore that no one else had been in the front room during the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of carried out of court." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "What then?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Edgeware Road. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not man. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your lost his Christmas dinner." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, he died? size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or locked. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "If I can be of use." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall guilty one." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, hurried by. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'I shall certainly be there.' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had McCarthy's innocence. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the general public were present, then?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I