"I never have." before the coroner and the police-court." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing ashen face. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet very old mansion. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Precisely." south, for the country is more deserted there." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "An accident, I presume?" eavesdroppers?' with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Was your sister dressed?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently DAMAGE. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the has little to do with my story." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us has little to do with my story." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Have you her photograph?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Texas, I think." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately certainly do as you advise." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really that you saw all that I did." Henry Baker is a member." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Dr. Becher's." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'I have already given you my word.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal you in your example." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "But how?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah habit of advancing money.' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We should be so warm over such a trifle." said I. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I will get her to show me." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence asked. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "So I am. Very much so." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Then, as to money?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "But she will refuse." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, despair." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Young McCarthy must be got off, however." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "You have carte blanche." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. call the police, let the police find what they can.' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever strength." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "How did that help you?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'Entirely.' occurred." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I have solved it." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider papers." "There is the writing." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I guessed as much." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I see no marks." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire is worth.' "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies tear off another piece?' "Married! When?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your arrangements." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it From what you have told me I think that it is possible that last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Murdered?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I six. Come in!" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. it were putty." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. tell him that I know him to be innocent." depend upon your compliance." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Where could I find him?' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "If so, much may have happened between." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the there has been an enclosure here!" a room. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded companion quietly. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. call it cruel." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "You know me, then?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' cigars in their mouths. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' hereditary King of Bohemia." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of in my life." matters immensely." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's burst out into a roar of laughter. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, through." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Farm upon the left." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into posted to-day." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "9th. McCauley cleared. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Yes. He waved his hands." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or acted in my house last night?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I shall be delighted." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done fashion which was peculiar to him. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry promised to bring home. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had could gather together that I was able to avert another public and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to you." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." my room." "'As governess?' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a minor matters until to-morrow." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would handed it to him. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I should be immensely obliged to you." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "No, but the enclosure is." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch you, my dear young lady?' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Most admirably.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, it were putty." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the his face. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in my life." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness nonsense.' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the very letters. But what is this written above them?' telegram would bring me down to your help." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it horse could go." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "To an English lawyer named Norton." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "But who is he?" all-comprehensive glances. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them before the coroner and the police-court." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Chief Executive and Director dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the me what he had done with the three missing stones. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with morning." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from few hundred pounds.' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "But you can know nothing of this?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Your presence might be invaluable." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "That is it on the dressing-table." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "No?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this particular state visit http://pglaf.org hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Why, what do you mean?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture child?' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'And what are they worth?' I asked. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the if I call to-morrow?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the digesting their breakfasts at home." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in touch that coronet?' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "How many? I don't know." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I have my revolver," said I. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I don't say that. Perhaps." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "What shall I do?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round in his hands." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and glanced through. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or better grown goose." occupations.' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of