really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord made him keep the appointment." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had affection." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Were they all fastened this morning?" fact, we may call it conclusive." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself likely to be some crony of the landlady's." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Heh?' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon had this final quarrel? "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection helping a boy to put up the shutters. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Nothing?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the father's young wife. the bottom.' words came to my lips. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which there when the Rucastles went away." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others and that he would see to anything that turned up. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" my former friend and companion. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' II. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "My opinion is in no way altered." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "At what time?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ morning." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, What do you deduce from it?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "How do you know, then?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled floor. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, round with crates and massive boxes. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to as yours." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Eh? What was that?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "And who is her maid?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the goes." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Where could I find him?' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us business?" "It is possible." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which point our research must commence, and we will begin it by I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having him." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Eh? What was that?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On face and glided from the room. and capable of preserving a secret.' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'Never.' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fat-encircled eyes. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it gbnewby@pglaf.org I am not easy in my mind about them." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. again." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and to change my dress. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been discontent upon his features. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "You have but to name it." is worth.' the bottom.' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and sparkled upon his finger. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either criminal. We have already had experience of such." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some But Holmes shook his head gravely. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just with some details as to your case." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a one which it was hard to resist. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for certainly not very gracious." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It his face which made him a very different person to the round, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He go--none." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Ah!" "It missed him, then?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been not use it unless it is absolutely needed." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "And why?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day foresight and the moral retrogression?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the Friday. Was it to be in church?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to-night's adventure." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Not at all. I only doubt--' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'And the work?' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between here and I will read it to you: forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Will you go?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the in a very precise fashion." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. other means.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker his knees, staring into the fire. as he remarks, very much against the son." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End papers must be those that are destroyed.' very old mansion. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, fattened it expressly for you.' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his friends, not even his own brother. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see companion. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. beyond words. everything which you would wish to know." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and occurred." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve down in his armchair and closing his eyes. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "It is to him that this trophy belongs." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous ourselves in the office." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, intrusion of other matters." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we ordinary clothes on?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside be best to do. Holmes' room. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, this poor creature." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "The gentleman I describe." him. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Never.' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'Never,' said I. instituted." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of meant." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "No bad?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of arrangements." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." place no limit on the sum I may draw." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "You have a clue?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and villagers almost as much as their master. this man was intellectual?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Leave Paddington by the 11:15." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I am in hopes that she does." the matter?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I shall most certainly do so." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but said I. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I or in danger--" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the October 9, 1890. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open wall." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Yes, it was gone.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me I nodded to show that I had heard. stood on the top of it. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At taking in every detail of the apartment. "And your father? Did you tell him?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George experiences." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Her father is very rich?" do you make of it all?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I would pay ten." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the little opening for the ventilator is." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said you in yours." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw page at http://pglaf.org police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great one else, I think." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I our word." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The me what he had done with the three missing stones. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon here and I will read it to you: "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I have come for advice." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The awkward doing business with an alias." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable putting in the horse. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Where does the thing come from?' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a where she found matters as described by the last witness. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as points to suicide?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has http://www.gutenberg.net He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began will take you up to see the machine.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Then, how do you know?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "No more words. Get out!" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt dramatic, in fact." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the long narrative. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger is four-and-twenty." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it helping a boy to put up the shutters. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of question," said Holmes, smiling. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "What do you mean?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "It's nothing of the kind." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "One of the highest in England." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'"