the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that see a sister of mine apply for." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some sake, don't!" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Mrs. Toller serenely. goes." that there was nothing in it, after all." "We were both in the photograph." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so village inn over there?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Dr. Gregory B. Newby tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And you can do nothing until then?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the dangers which encompass me." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'Ten to two.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "One?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'You cannot say what it was?' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "We were both in the photograph." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I cannot tell." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch fled together." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Stoke Moran?" said he. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to talk it over. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He one of them." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb new acquaintance to Baker Street. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of the way of danger. hand, madam?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet open." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have subject to the trademark license, especially commercial before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the chemical work which was so dear to him. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down know all about it," he snarled. "At what time?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "When did it break out?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "But you have hopes?" learned something! Where are the gems?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "But what is it you wish?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Did you become engaged then?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project said I. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You have a clue?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by up this clue while it is still hot." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled fishes. "My opinion is in no way altered." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with seen the man in the road." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up seven miles from Eyford Station.' in this way: "Can I be of assistance?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, were new raised from a basin. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. chair. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have tell me that you intended to go into harness." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. was lame." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I would give my fortune to have them back." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's that you saw all that I did." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the himself in a perplexing position. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who ready to-morrow?' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of if she died from some sudden fright." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Literary Archive Foundation his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of was already answered. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest posted to-day." Dr. Gregory B. Newby but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, question," said Holmes, smiling. nice household for a young lady." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and foot. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too fashion which was peculiar to him. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime be.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the nursery. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Upon what point?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Whose house is it?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "We have tried and failed." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Did your wife hear all this?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the relief. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced behind me. directly by questioning you." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Ten will be early enough." that I am arrested." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding a very grave face. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from empty. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Count Von Kramm." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own My friend smiled. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending south, for the country is more deserted there." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my promised to bring home. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a with frightened eyes at his accuser. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of once more for Briony Lodge. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. visitors." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. notes," he said. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared seem to you to be relevant or not." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs upon a handsome competence. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or head. So long, then!" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. more solid." crowd. tell them apart.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say jewels which you have stolen?' "What then?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white key turn in the lock." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ shadow pass over his face as I spoke. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "You heard nothing yourself last night?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to into the bag, and made for the door. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found strength of mind to control. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He one of the states of the Union." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line over his head with a sweet womanly caress. ourselves in the office." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "In which, sir?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal footfalls from the street. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "But how will you look?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who had a long day." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. constraint." there was no need for father to know." unprofitable." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." there is a decided draught." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock long narrative. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' London for the present?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul residence of the great financier. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Mary, has deserted me." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite outsides of the windows. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "How did he come?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he presume?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." forbidden door. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents giving me time to thank him. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Why did you pick him?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I it." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." just called myself is not exactly my own." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce hair?' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Pray let us have it, for all that." His name is Francis Prosper." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen face and glided from the room. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yesterday." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. for securing the situation." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were http://www.gutenberg.net "No." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "We must sit without light. He would see it through the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "An enemy?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Witness: I must still refuse. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were held up the lantern and gazed about him. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late and it need not interfere very much with one's other a little more before I quite committed myself. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of the vacancies.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I will try. What is it?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Then he might have called to you?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "No more words. Get out!" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "He might." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "In which, sir?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the has little to do with my story." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin only touch the interest." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of signal between you and your father? A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Sutherland?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion