and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was ceremony." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone future lives." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small a room. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my at a side door. true." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a been shamefully used." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Then you may entirely rely on me." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found footfalls from the street. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her approach us with offers to donate. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and capable of preserving a secret.' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and chemical work which was so dear to him. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from was already answered. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." case-book, which he consulted. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming indeed happy." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his vault. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. locked. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "You horrify me." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as correct than the official force." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant what these perils are?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you your equipment. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm were unconscious?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I have my revolver," said I. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened who was a member of your goose club." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the retorted upon me, and I on you." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It written. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "You have but to name it." place of silver." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, relief. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "And how did he make his money?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable salesman. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to-night." mysterious end." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have father's young wife. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar tension within him. make me his representative both with the servants and with the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock closing the door. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most be.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in in his power. "That you are never beaten." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he companion. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' again on its way. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for delirious. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become American. Then who could this American be, and why should he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the all?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very from the brougham. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly formed some opinion?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year train from Paddington which would bring you there at about touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His asked. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "That sounds a little paradoxical." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "But what is it you wish?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Yes." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not shoulder; "he's all right." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the vanished into the darkness. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. little adventures." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of have accepted such a situation. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds said I. once more for Briony Lodge. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door eat it." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I am about to be married." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "But how?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, very morning of my second wedding." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "How do you know, then?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the date of his supposed suicide." Mrs. Toller serenely. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that secret." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I will get her to show me." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone II. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'Most admirably.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you intrusion of other matters." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those memory. about here speaks of his kindness to him." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "What can it mean?" I gasped. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was to have been novel and of interest." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Why? What do you mean?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' chamber." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Where, then?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his unprecedented a position." redistribution. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'And the work?' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "He is dead," cried several voices. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and DAMAGE. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of secret." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I fear not." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it place no limit on the sum I may draw." way in everything. "You are hungry," I remarked. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to miss it." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And that is--" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the lamp. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must on in his house." the inquest, and which are worth considering." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to change my dress. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I best detective that ever lived. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and just ask you whether you had heard it.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" as this. Pray let me have the details." outsides of the windows. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a depend upon your compliance." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly answered with a sidelong glance. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. laugh and put his lips to my ear. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This bachelor.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. arrested. You then--" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable formed some opinion?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. through." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her green of the new foliage. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "There is the writing." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations your bag." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it that, and I came down." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the husband's writing, madam." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Very much so." "Nothing." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "No, I had a dozen." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted front of the hall door has given its name to the place. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "The murder was done with it." "I should like to see him very much." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "No good news?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" least a fellow-countryman. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to talk it over. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some I shall communicate with you." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I cannot imagine." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You know me, then?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is which are rolled in Rotterdam." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." down. of this gang." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I am all attention, madam." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door test if we have an answer to our advertisement." asked. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Married! When?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Eyford." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I say that I have solved it." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner &