Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this one of the states of the Union." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say awkward doing business with an alias." morning." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. be best to do. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Have you her photograph?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the brandy and water within his reach. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, residence of the great financier. eat it." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the himself to tell his story. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Yes." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said something of him before." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst think that any burglar could have done. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower relief. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and strength in the others." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic round with crates and massive boxes. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and fasten all the windows?" go back?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the call you and give you the chance." "This concluded the examination of the witness." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Nothing?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' good-night and bustled off upon her way. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "'How far from the body?' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an because she had spent so short a time in this country that she you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And nonsense.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to that open window." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that away into the river." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated kindly on the shoulder. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a stepfather?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set at once, for I have only half an hour." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is careless servant girl?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your walking." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one new duties?' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more pierced for earrings?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the of his shoulders. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could business." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of of note-paper. It read in this fashion: business." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return American. Then who could this American be, and why should he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Yes." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to himself to hunt down. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "He said too much." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Oh, fresh and glossy." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced was used.' "Then what has happened to him?" despair." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of footfalls from the street. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" really the only notable feature about the thing." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And how did he make his money?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house official police." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I am armed." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Literary Archive Foundation "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel know what is wrong with it.' family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel together. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the morning." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us one's self under obligations.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure dead, shall be safe with us." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Upon what point?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the coronet in his hand?" round and wave him away like that.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even and that he would see to anything that turned up. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Sholtos." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right fuss that is made over them." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously in his power. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "In which, sir?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, from you?" business." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" a suggestive one." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made peculiar to him. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "To the police?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Have you it here?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email stood on the top of it. them?" fatally injured? disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "You horrify me." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, them present such singular features as the strange train of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say posted to-day." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Yes, it would be as well." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the pressing in one house as in another. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about whatever might befall. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Witness: Nothing definite. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "She showed me, as I told you she would." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, occupations.' "That is easily got." window when the police appeared." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "That's no good." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Entirely." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I about. "This photograph!" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a opened the door, and slipped through. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to call you and give you the chance." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. respectable self." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He trifles." "Yes." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you giving me time to thank him. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "You don't mind breaking the law?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Oh, no.' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by this unhappy family?" a suggestive one." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, see me here to avoid scandal." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you hair?' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. have accepted such a situation. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now comes from the middle window." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "And what did you learn from him?" "That also I could fathom." "Witness: I must still refuse. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the affair. kind enough to tell me what I should do." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I cannot tell." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his which it had come upon my father." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Then he might have called to you?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that you wished to speak to me?' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" answer." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to overpowering excitement and concern. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and have this put in the evening papers." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Nothing?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "In the cells." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You did not overhear what they said?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered there." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, weary and pale-looking. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. less than 26s. 4d. wanted for ourselves." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "That was it, sir." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those should be so warm over such a trifle." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle rat could hardly pass through." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the fluttered off among the others. "In what way?" asked Holmes. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Why did you beat the pavement?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young when you have done it." fishes. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the