He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted wedding?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "The rest you will leave in our hands." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I foot. Pope's Court. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "So I am. Very much so." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right furiously. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "In heaven's name, what for?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side daring than any effort of the imagination." Eyford." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. in a very precise fashion." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I there when the Rucastles went away." foot. "I am still in the dark." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "But I am all in the dark." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then something of him before." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I do." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved chamber." client, rising. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "To an English lawyer named Norton." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs distance from the station, and there we found the young lady place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Cross for the Continent." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the inquest, and which are worth considering." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said my little problems." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "What have you to say now?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort people in all walks of life. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Then how many are there?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Yes?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual secret." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "10th. John Swain cleared. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "To ruin me." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea do." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Come in!" said Holmes. "Yes, it would be as well." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is just ask you whether you had heard it.' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. would apply.' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "My stepfather's business papers." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the south-west, I see." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to neither fascinating nor artistic." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And your mother is alive?" that you saw all that I did." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight goes." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off at my remark. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who true." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes through." be there in time for your coming." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Where to?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it to tackle the facts." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being face and glided from the room. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and the whole place is in a blaze." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout been shamefully used." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Married! When?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "In what way?" asked Holmes. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower you give your casting vote to?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the of receipt of the work. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to him to be an active member of the medical profession." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in future lives." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this was already answered. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house emerged. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It came here." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a nights." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it in his power. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. were unconscious?" "'How far from the body?' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I am to be neutral?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among begun to whiten, even as mine has." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "No, distinctly professional." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I will try. What is it?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so clanging. "Yes, that is the Crown." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "It surprised me." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' guilty one." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. with the outside air!" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Where to?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old man. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" standing smiling on the door-step. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell later, upon the night of May 2nd." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She children over to America with him, so that I found myself without said he at last. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You have a clue?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was money should be paid at once.' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the voice, changing her seat as requested. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are what is your own theory as to what took place?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "And I." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Was he the only applicant?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary problems help me to do so." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in one or two places in England?' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very dead, shall be safe with us." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to have that photograph." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the said he. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses a good hundred miles off by now." straighten it?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "No, I think that I'll take it." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I see me here to avoid scandal." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the dangers which encompass me." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to Leatherhead. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "To the police?" served to weaken the effect. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any tension within him. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. we went to search for him, face downward in a little like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to mystery may be cleared along those lines." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill happened." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was said Mr. Holder. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Edgeware Road. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," character. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment not personally threatened." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in undoubtedly my uncle's." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. once more for Briony Lodge. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap promised to bring home. him and tried to hold him back. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'Where could I find him?' point in the dark hollow of his hand. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, woman." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the coronet at all injured?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my lips." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At bird I ate is country bred." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them paper in the air. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these other lovers by making love himself." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. relief. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I have come for advice." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I am still in the dark." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in purpose of examination. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance obstinate." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow are windows in it, of course?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are yourselves in at night?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It is possible." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you death." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Doctor, of the paper and the date." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "I cannot tell." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old danger is over." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but You want to know what became of those geese?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the said I. very old mansion. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Edgeware Road. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this conclusions. hand, madam?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention investigation." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the