until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Certainly." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "He is still with you, I presume?" in my life." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Where did he live, then?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know recover the gem." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "He said too much." disturbance in my wife." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down interests were the same as his." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "That is unusual in a young girl." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "How did he come?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as should be taken.' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "But how did you gain them?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. there is a decided draught." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a too. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the could not have written that. It is the German who is so single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I shall most certainly do so." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and ready to-morrow?' villagers almost as much as their master. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical him!" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of questionable one." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "And that is--" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our call for protection in the marriage market, for the present back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And used to be." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall this as likely?" to take care of herself." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the asked with his eyes open. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It was an hour's good drive." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." he. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than there were so many in the whole country as were brought together just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: you." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from like gravel from a pit.' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that the gas is not laid on in his house?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite of campaign. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, you, my dear young lady?' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Arthur Conan Doyle passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. said he. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, as he folded up the epistle. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I that?' Foundation battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." face and glided from the room. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that desk. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement closing the door. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Ah!" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One ourselves in the office." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover towards the blaze. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. eat it." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the my room." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "The vanishing of the lady." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have one." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'It is locked up,' I answered. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "To ruin me." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Dr. Becher's." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation dear old homesteads?" cheerful." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "10th. John Swain cleared. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a thought that she would have been so carried away." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It is true that I have been generally successful." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in spare." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was then?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a depend upon your compliance." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did sneer upon his pale face. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "That was it, sir." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "None." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. signal between you and your father? had a long day." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Just look it up, then." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches matter over." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which I nodded to show that I had heard. "That is easily got." "I cannot think." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until window when the police appeared." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "What will you say?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to very morning of my second wedding." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Yes, it was gone.' away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the bed, and you in that chair." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in meant it for the best. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Pray continue your narrative." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, matter over." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "A greater distance to travel." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, a little more before I quite committed myself. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our had this final quarrel? "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while been lifted and conveyed somewhere." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "What will you do, then?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might chemical work which was so dear to him. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I beg pardon." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and effective." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "BALLARAT." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Have you good authority for what you say?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "In which, sir?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' goes." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and think that he is innocent?" "Seven!" I answered. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could could go. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a carried out of court." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Did you become engaged then?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their maiden herself was most instructive." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the nursery. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian cost them two and thirty pounds." "I never have." so.' where she found matters as described by the last witness. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "That is possible." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "May I see it?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, woven round him. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "He is dead," cried several voices. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of to have that photograph." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; useful material for showing traces. The double line a little thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my thin legs towards the fire. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, nonsense.'