habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Pool. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Nothing?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. too. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want how narrow had been my escape. "Whose house is it?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year that?' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" knowledge of the world." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of residence of the great financier. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "BALLARAT." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly it. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "That was it, sir." "A confidential servant?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said carriage. It was a chestnut." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this His name is Francis Prosper." "ARAT," I read. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On pressing in one house as in another. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it opportunities to fix the problem. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest suddenly upon us." know what is wrong with it.' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Why? What do you mean?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I started for the Temple to see my husband. giving me time to thank him. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good if I call to-morrow?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the nice household for a young lady." recover the gem." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "And Miss Sutherland?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It surprised me." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "That's no good." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Mrs. Toller serenely. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to-morrow." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. other lovers by making love himself." became a certainty. annoyance, but no jest. way: article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a his cane at the bell-pull. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Game for a morning drive?" it were putty." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her directors have had misgivings upon the subject." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and them?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, be best to do. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a window when the police appeared." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an and it need not interfere very much with one's other after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to-night?" I asked. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she been shamefully used." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has opportunities to fix the problem. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been States. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. breakfast." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of better in every way that they should make their position a little strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit fact, we may call it conclusive." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tied." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Seven!" I answered. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "No?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a out of this horrible affair." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "But you were on a friendly footing?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'What, the red-headed man?' into her hand at the door and which lured her within their than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "An enemy?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would notes," he said. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "VIOLET HUNTER." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I have seen the police." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple is acting for the best. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Why serious?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a what I may call a really hard day's work." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Oh, the cause is excellent!" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "The Cedars?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Yes, but only for you and me." Count Von Kramm." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. everything which you would wish to know." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would London for the present?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. lectures into a series of tales." until night should bring an explanation. assist you in forming an opinion." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "And Irene Adler?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'And the work?' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Absolutely none." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before in this way: felt the room to be a little close.' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "But it has twice been burgled." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Yes." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at My friend smiled. all-comprehensive glances. "Bought." six. Come in!" call for it in person on Monday morning.' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, heavy and sharp instrument." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "So I have heard." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and this Miss Turner." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Yes, from Horsham." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" when you have done it." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here promised to bring home. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker some terrible trap for her." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so just called myself is not exactly my own." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be breakfast and whispered something to her husband. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes evidence," I remarked. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Lee, in the county of Kent." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave come either from the window or the door. My attention was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Yes." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Holmes, the busybody!" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to his chemical studies. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away system of imprisonment?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "To the police?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card new duties?' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and your own bird, so if you wish--" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Dr. Becher's." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a I took the paper from him and read as follows: colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "None." "She showed me, as I told you she would." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the inner apartment." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of to take care of herself." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. mysterious business." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. second window is the one that I jumped from." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has guilty parties." I. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My was already answered. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "What shall I do?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Where to?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to tell." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, side. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I call it cruel." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "What will you say?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "My dear Holmes!" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't seen the man in the road." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something possible that we could bring him back to her? "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "But how will you look?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him *** START: FULL LICENSE *** With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Have you it here?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my forehead. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "In the cells." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon other lovers by making love himself." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Nothing?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Yes." is worth.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Was the window open?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the here." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." touch that coronet?' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Then what has happened to him?" all that?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to there." written, and locked the door of the office after me. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he orange pips. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored his eyes and forehead. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the in the dead of the night?' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Then you may be so with me." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to believe that I should never have any practice at all. dramatic, in fact." "Get out!" said he. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that open." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop charge against him will break down." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the a little more before I quite committed myself. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "But she will refuse." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her