of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I do." carpenter." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a events, Mr. Windibank!" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know call the police, let the police find what they can.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an true." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend get her out of the way." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the ceiling. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, felt?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Stoke Moran." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a fatally injured? not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'Which dealer's?' hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was your troubles." breakfast." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and at my own good fortune. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the date of his supposed suicide." of the one which your family is now devouring." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the present." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Yes.' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a plantation.' pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to way in everything. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred instincts rose up against that laugh. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly October 9, 1890. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the address that was given us in the advertisement. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his bled considerably." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before mystery!" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "My dear Holmes!" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "What steps will you take?" I asked. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Which are?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "But we can't all be." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "But he might be a bachelor." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should unkempt, staring out at me. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must to have been novel and of interest." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project with you alone." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to affect your life." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I should be immensely obliged to you." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest putting in the horse. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His overpowering excitement and concern. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." shoulder. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the on re-entering her father's house?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his will not take me long to tell. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been bare slabs of marble. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. fat-encircled eyes. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You forget that I know nothing about it." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "You have the photograph?" obstinate." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of Mr. Rucastle's." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "By no means." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'I am sure if I had known--' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with disturbance in my wife." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would copied or distributed: "Nothing." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "A client, then?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the October 9, 1890. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Gutenberg-tm License. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor know that the truth is known." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. maid will bring up your coffee." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand on re-entering her father's house?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton went to the Alpha were town bred." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's it with his own hands." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is good-night and bustled off upon her way. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "What?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'What, the red-headed man?' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small not, dad?" she asked. happened." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "What will you do, then?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose plantation.' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good absorbing." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "So I am. Very much so." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all outside." "You were travelling in the States?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the residence of the great financier. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a it with his own hands." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I was afraid that you were engaged." behind me. to miss it." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to from you?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Then he might have called to you?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my in my life." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have not had my rubber." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations tied." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. waste of energy." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the general public were present, then?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." room had already been engaged for us. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal has little to do with my story." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Was he the only applicant?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Entirely." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Never to return." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was question," said Holmes, smiling. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows he died? one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and files of the old papers, following the future career of every at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the not personally threatened." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I you give your casting vote to?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it suggested at once that there must be a communication between the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "No good news?" "You horrify me." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "How did he come?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'In my own bureau.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" astonishment. "Precisely." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I don't believe it." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "And your father? Did you tell him?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, appeal." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is compunction about shooting them down." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'What do you call purely nominal?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave late!' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips pressing in one house as in another. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a said Mr. Holder. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered him nearly every evening." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great him." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'You cannot say what it was?' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "A client, then?" "And sit in the dark?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Munro.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Oh, no.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Nothing?" you." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the formed some opinion?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was been with you?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" them present such singular features as the strange train of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my thought that she would have been so carried away." "I never have." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I was mad--insane." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a danger is over." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my detective. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Yes, sir.' that you can jump it.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "No, thank goodness, she did not." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "It is his hat." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them