seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and I shall be with you presently." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled straighten it?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside DISSOLVED. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but beyond words. promised to bring home. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to highly," said Holmes. "And what then?" not fit the lock." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an newspaper selections." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a present." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "A confidential servant?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Oh, yes, easily." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "VIOLET HUNTER." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already once more. "But the mystery?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Heh?' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Yes." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it strode off upon his way. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. asked with his eyes open. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Pope's Court. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he present." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I pierced for earrings?" Street. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. III. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given companion quietly. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I am in hopes that she does." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "And I say east," said my patient. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him night.' said he. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "You have but to name it." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the The summons was a brief and urgent one. think that he is innocent?" main points of my analysis." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Your presence might be invaluable." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "And Irene Adler?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new into her hand at the door and which lured her within their suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "To an end?" "Then you may be so with me." "'Which dealer's?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Quite so." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "That is it on the dressing-table." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing infinite languor in his face. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine foresight and the moral retrogression?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'Is purely nominal.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "10th. John Swain cleared. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is nothing with him." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded some terrible trap for her." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "And why?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of plantation.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "How about poison?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned have not had my rubber." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "That sounds a little paradoxical." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the was not a bird to be seen there. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'What then?' I asked. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and drove away. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock digesting their breakfasts at home." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pictures, libraries, or plate. to take care of herself." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly disturbance in my wife." I held the little printed slip to the light. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what do.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Not I." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, other means.' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so could go. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Where to?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads read over the extraordinary announcement. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "No, I am descending." passage and a tap at the door. the running down." in darkness. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this which our visitor detailed to us. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sofa. This way, please!" mystery." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "You are hungry," I remarked. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was presume?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That is easily got." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey said he, "my real name is James Ryder." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a British peeress.'" always that they were such commands as a lady might with words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, chambers. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he singular points about the case. What did the police think of the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached business?" quite distinctive." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and have this put in the evening papers." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the loss of it. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office away to you." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was he died? "I am about to be married." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it purpose of examination. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his page at http://pglaf.org "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' voice. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Yes, it was twisted." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and have this put in the evening papers." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It is possible." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole enter Dr. Roylott's room." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who present." which our visitor detailed to us. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the four million human beings all jostling each other within the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Pray do so." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch criminal. We have already had experience of such." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with there were one or two details which were new to me. But the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the direction." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the carriage. It was a chestnut." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of arrested. You then--" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Nothing?" "In which, sir?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'A dozen yards or so.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be security.' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Then what has happened to him?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to criminal. We have already had experience of such." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than you?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'And what salary do you ask?' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man about. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to tackle the facts." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make will find little credit to be gained out of this case." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of dramatic, in fact." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much