"'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave hands. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Holmes, the busybody!" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "My photograph." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an you for a few hours?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" which it had come upon my father." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the go--none." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. situation." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "And what did you learn from him?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it better in every way that they should make their position a little thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon been lifted and conveyed somewhere." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Where could I find him?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "And who is her maid?" with some details as to your case." of your young ladies.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "How do you know, then?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the driver. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would pity, because in other respects you would really have done very space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers heavily into it. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "What shall I do?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since it right.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I cannot think." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the will be renamed. "It must be recovered." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, been deceived." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it might help us?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "You heard nothing yourself last night?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "That's no good." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I will do it." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "And how in the world did you find them?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to habit of advancing money.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes." Watson," he said cordially. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of written. "What can it mean?" I gasped. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I was sure that I might rely on you." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of the efforts of the United States government and of the better copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative what do you think they found in the pockets?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I shall be delighted." companion. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Game for a morning drive?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, made his money." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I asked. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know of campaign. imbecility!" he cried. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I saw her in conversation with her maid." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "That is it on the dressing-table." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Where to?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Thank you. And your address?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Street. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "It's nothing of the kind." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Stolen!' he cried. instincts rose up against that laugh. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Precisely." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and purpose equally well?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as done what I asked you, Jones?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Yes, only one." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway works. See paragraph 1.E below. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a mystery!" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my maiden herself was most instructive." "Perfectly so." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' redistribution. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King was once confined in the cab my mission was practically arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his skylight. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round now. It seems that there had been some informality about their snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates friends, not even his own brother. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "He said that you could solve anything." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "You have carte blanche." III. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Witness: It was. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "My dear Holmes!" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your to-night's adventure." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to you?" crowd. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Have you good authority for what you say?" developed." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "She walked into the breakfast-room." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to in this note: "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to-night?' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Imitated." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left heavy and sharp instrument." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And what did you see?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I read it out to me." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See him." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "No sign of it?" the loss of it. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Certainly." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the fait accompli?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? room?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate looking up at the numbers of the houses." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had charged with?" narrative." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" breakfast?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me take the flies, but not before." always that they were such commands as a lady might with me." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Holmes' room. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both returned to France?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is arms and began to sob in a high treble key. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Street. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes galvanised. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself with frightened eyes at his accuser. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause The summons was a brief and urgent one. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'What, the red-headed man?' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. papers must be those that are destroyed.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Well, it is a possible supposition." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Game for a morning drive?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, fashion which was peculiar to him. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sparkled upon his finger. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual once more for Briony Lodge. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "What, then?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Married! When?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "But what harm can there be in that?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some breakfast and whispered something to her husband. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" narrative." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, was not a bird to be seen there. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "And leave your case unfinished?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and events than those which have happened in my own family." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in His smile broadened. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "What are they?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You'll never persuade me to believe that." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. astonishment. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case matter over." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "That is easily got." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his his fortune, and I went back to pa. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual arms and began to sob in a high treble key. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of that he will be back before evening."