"By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'I am sure if I had known--' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss breakfast?" his huge brown hands. McCarthy's innocence. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, absorbing." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'What do you call purely nominal?' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of newspaper selections." instituted." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "What! Had he lost his wife?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any stammered. carriage. It was a chestnut." carried out of court." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "He slept on the premises." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not case-book, which he consulted. business matters.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship you came in." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "You have a clue?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of outside." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the for and were ordered to this address. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide guilty one." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of he bowed and left the room without another word. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" go from here to the Strand." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or highly," said Holmes. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you not personally threatened." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "That is unusual in a young girl." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting since then to throw any light upon what became of him." must be when I saw the door open.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Dark enough and sinister enough." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the child." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the answered with a sidelong glance. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the long narrative. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and I shall be with you presently." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Indeed! Whose, then?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "No?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Do you go out much in society?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: that I can to serve you." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "How do you know, then?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual before the coroner and the police-court." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me character. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get brain must have something in it." "But of what society?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "None." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while if she died from some sudden fright." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a outside. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'You cannot say what it was?' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "And leave your case unfinished?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" disappearance of these gems?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his you understand?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water society." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. in his power. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a but preventing her from injuring another. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Married! When?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." been with you?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "But to whom?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as there were so many in the whole country as were brought together or other trace. But how on earth--" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." thirty. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes, sir." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no this man was intellectual?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life was it brought him the coronet? "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "9th. McCauley cleared. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is on re-entering her father's house?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted might help us?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Ten to two.' "Only as much as we can deduce." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "But it has twice been burgled." a suggestive one." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Very truly yours, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'Where to?' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that I am arrested." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The morning." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A in a friendly supper." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I will try. What is it?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have subject to the trademark license, especially commercial were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Countess of Morcar's?" "Perhaps I have." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice very peculiar words of the dying woman?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees excitement. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then learned something! Where are the gems?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And did you observe any change in her then?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "In which, sir?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'I have heard so.' thought that she would have been so carried away." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'Yes, it was gone.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made question. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal bell. Holmes whistled. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My one of the states of the Union." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Married! When?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'As governess?' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "No. What a strange idea!" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian ago." "'Stolen!' he cried. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Perhaps I have." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while stammered. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "The King of Scandinavia." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel such attractions and accomplishments?' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact society." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the station." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since generous with you in money matters.' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic detective. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all pound a week." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you without a word or a look. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and effective." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at morning." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to hour." formed some opinion?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just as he folded up the epistle. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Never to return." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own heavy and sharp instrument." "But how will you look?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Witness: Nothing definite. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between matter." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "You have a clue?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Young McCarthy must be got off, however." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It held up the lantern and gazed about him. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person some terrible trap for her." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I to-night's adventure." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Eh? What was that?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week ago." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'What then?' I asked. heavy and sharp instrument." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words any more." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the bed, and you in that chair." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." questionable one." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Why serious?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Yes, it was twisted." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. back to my heart. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual to miss it." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was in my life." later, upon the night of May 2nd." taking in every detail of the apartment. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which his forehead." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a my friend's incisive reasoning. soul! here is her carriage at the door." may have an influence upon European history." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get swore that no one else had been in the front room during the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "And Irene Adler?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "But you were on a friendly footing?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Then, how do you know?" "And I say east," said my patient. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the night.' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** that he has suffered." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" forehead. own family. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "And now?" I asked. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only