mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep could not account in any way for the presence of the missing 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I say that I have solved it." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an true." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached to tell." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: name is different." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now she might be summoned. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. was shining brightly. "The King of Scandinavia." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Leadenhall Street--and--" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, eat it." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have developed." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my come either from the window or the door. My attention was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the My friend smiled. hereditary King of Bohemia." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than not use it unless it is absolutely needed." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to meant it for the best. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The case-book, which he consulted. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Yes, the wine-cellar." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "She told me to ask you." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Certainly." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "An accident, I presume?" public press." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the cigar and let me expound." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt case-book, which he consulted. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, congenial hunt. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "What have you to say now?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'I am sure that I do not know.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the gbnewby@pglaf.org large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its my room." cigar and let me expound." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Could he throw no light?" some water from a caraffe. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Nothing." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And sit in the dark?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush begun to whiten, even as mine has." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the roots. should be taken.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He as he folded up the epistle. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "She walked into the breakfast-room." fattened it expressly for you.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the companion quietly. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "And how?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found your billet.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Were they all fastened this morning?" an introduction to him?" that I can to serve you." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, head. So long, then!" populous neighbourhood." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the returning from some small jollification and was making his way of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and prosperity to your house. Good-night." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his are windows in it, of course?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing tied." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his fact, we may call it conclusive." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," legal crime." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a come either from the window or the door. My attention was "That sounds a little paradoxical." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the at once, for I have only half an hour." up this clue while it is still hot." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured have got?" which was all perfectly true. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and the whole place is in a blaze." wall." particular state visit http://pglaf.org knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." thought that she would have been so carried away." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my compunction about shooting them down." again before evening." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Sutherland?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault did not hear it also.' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "If I can be of use." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend occupations.' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No good news?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year His smile broadened. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to-morrow." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, garden below. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, constraint." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'I have already given you my word.' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. whole matter to your consideration." be sorry for having acted so harshly." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the roots. the best of training." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Yes, there are nearly always some there." nothing of it?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you me, and I could not think that his explanation of the security.' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable such person." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! hardly wander." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at at home. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through all that?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was look upon these things in a different way." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "That was it, sir." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly burst into a hearty fit of laughter. depend upon my doing so.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I leave." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Whose house is it?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of depend upon my doing so.' reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "But you have hopes?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "And from a noble client?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to nice household for a young lady." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Then I can wait in the next room." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "What will you say?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very quickly through a disagreeable task. telegram would bring me down to your help." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Project Gutenberg-tm works. the warnings." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "My dear Holmes!" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "No, I am descending." you came in." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "One?" DAMAGE. The events in question occurred in the early days of my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "At half-wages, in fact." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it your billet.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "If so, much may have happened between." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." becomes even more simple." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Yes, that is the Crown." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist The note was undated, and without either signature or address. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. character. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" You want to know what became of those geese?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are details should find their way into the papers. Inspector The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." sofa. This way, please!" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to knowledge of the world." was a lad." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, eat it." do." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Edgeware Road. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady weary and pale-looking. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is what do you think they found in the pockets?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to chemical work which was so dear to him. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'What are you doing there?' he asked. companion. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It is possible." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It is possible." "He might." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Well." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very that he has suffered." "I will, Miss Turner." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Nearly eleven." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "You have but to name it."