along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in enter Dr. Roylott's room." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood copied or distributed: Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle other lovers by making love himself." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I came to find a friend." upon a handsome competence. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, married her." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, me. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the matter?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You have compromised yourself seriously." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself away in different directions, and I went off to make my own out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your just called myself is not exactly my own." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Ten will be early enough." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "What have you to say now?" recover the gem." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project will be renamed. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to empty. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in his hands." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. to miss it." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "How do you know, then?" think that any burglar could have done. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the loss of it. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "But of what society?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I new acquaintance to Baker Street. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. she might be summoned. "And you can do nothing until then?" how narrow had been my escape. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Yes, sir." "Very truly yours, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the back to my heart. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the legal crime." Street. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water into the bag, and made for the door. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "The doctor?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as way in everything. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have so far?" "I will, Miss Turner." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, note?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which power." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of the vacancies.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg shoulder; "he's all right." "None." "The best possible." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away leave you to your papers for a little." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Holmes." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking likely to be some crony of the landlady's." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Munro.' affair. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "What can you not understand?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to must be when I saw the door open.' lamp. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for stepfather?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, take the flies, but not before." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Edgeware Road. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of his forehead." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "At what time?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "It is possible." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by 1.F. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Married! When?" less than 26s. 4d. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. said Mr. Holder. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "It is no ordinary one." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE nothing of it?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of persecution?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that than was visible to me." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Stolen." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I fuss that is made over them." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter undoubtedly my uncle's." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Was he the only applicant?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the would then never go into court at all." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." you?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, handed it to him. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "And it is--" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No, finished." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have orange pips. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the best of training." shall not find me ungrateful." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man if only as a check to my own memory." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "And your mother is alive?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "And what did you learn from him?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I assure you that I am in your hands." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just business at Coburg Square is serious." straighten it?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to helping a boy to put up the shutters. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their 'please.'" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "She told me to ask you." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Precisely so. But how--" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able amused." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that you wished to speak to me?' he died? "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. his wife has ceased to love him." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Clair, of Lee." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which at my remark. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It tell them apart.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others row." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace been." absorbing." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel ordinary clothes on?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Where could I find him?' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Of what day?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the yet." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big populous neighbourhood." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I know where it is." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. to arrive at through this?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "But of what society?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that intimate personal affairs in this public manner." over here." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis man. I know him from the photograph." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all asked. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that answer." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. what is your own theory as to what took place?" skylight. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Then I can wait in the next room." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between head. So long, then!" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes,