firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "My own seal." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "You will not go there first?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was a good hundred miles off by now." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Was the window open?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Sholtos." him and tried to hold him back. are windows in it, of course?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Young McCarthy must be got off, however." door?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Ample." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a directly by questioning you." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in one or two places in England?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; has little to do with my story." "Nothing?" "How on earth--" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the dangers which encompass me." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'And what salary do you ask?' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had tell him that I know him to be innocent." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Why serious?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is because she had spent so short a time in this country that she points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can several quiet little villages up there." weighed down with some great anxiety. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You have the photograph?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Your presence might be invaluable." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went giving me time to thank him. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw writer." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." comes from the middle window." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Imitated." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most occupations.' "I have my revolver," said I. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and should be taken.' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever very morning of my second wedding." III. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "But he might be a bachelor." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, do." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I village inn over there?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Yes." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a she might be summoned. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You are certainly joking, Holmes." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I have hopes." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "It goes to the housekeeper's room." what I may call a really hard day's work." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man thin legs towards the fire. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little rooms." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor mysterious business." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the were new raised from a basin. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Certainly." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the room had already been engaged for us. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of husband's writing, madam." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for official police." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged make me his representative both with the servants and with the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the examine." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "My own seal." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get vanished into the darkness. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "But she could not love him." "Yes." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It is his hat." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Certainly." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling You can understand that this register and diary may implicate explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: closing the door. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "My dear Holmes!" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "About a month then." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of Mr. Rucastle's." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his it." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life such attractions and accomplishments?' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our sentimental considerations in the background which would induce discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my if only as a check to my own memory." I leave." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known questioning and rather startled gaze. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I was concerned in it." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen in this way: I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "BALLARAT." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," a few minutes he said that it would be all right. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The laugh and put his lips to my ear. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which our visitor detailed to us. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, them?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good For additional contact information: colour had been driven from his face. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in the dead of the night?' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is during the last few years, and there are many noble families to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called one which it was hard to resist. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Farm upon the left." instincts rose up against that laugh. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in your Highness to the police-station?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, awkward doing business with an alias." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Sutherland. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Of what?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "No, thank goodness, she did not." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Entirely.' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "To the police?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this returned to France?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Why serious?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The Cedars?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to-morrow." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through province." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It missed him, then?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an outbreak?" "None." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind matters immensely." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sofa. This way, please!" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble in the hope of finding them." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was 'please.'" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most John Swain, of St. Augustine. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the written, and locked the door of the office after me. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my existence." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I held up the lantern and gazed about him. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face make me his representative both with the servants and with the to-night's adventure." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of he died? drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was outside. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then you." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the call for it in person on Monday morning.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to a more successful conclusion." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough good for you to do.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the window, rose as we entered. me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my maiden herself was most instructive." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and was a lad." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, do." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'Certainly not.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Dr. Gregory B. Newby salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Farm upon the left." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' delirious. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "The gentleman I describe." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Do you know him?" "My dear Holmes!" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched drove away. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for chemical work which was so dear to him. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and and put his glass in his pocket.