"How many? I don't know." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "And now?" He raised his hand. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Only as much as we can deduce." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'I shall certainly be there.' think that any burglar could have done. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying legal crime." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Who was the criminal, then?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third your only hope of safety." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might morning." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Entirely." looking up at the numbers of the houses." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do least a most suspicious remark." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "But we can't all be." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the is so. I know all about McCarthy." "An enemy?" you?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Heh?' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have observed. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are as noiselessly as she had come. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, deduce something from that?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you returning from some small jollification and was making his way from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Yes?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, fled together." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who have established a very serious case against the son of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "He is dead," cried several voices. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The Cedars?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "What?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and a shock of very red hair. "I have solved it." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily in one or two places in England?' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." jewels which you have stolen?' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant several quiet little villages up there." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more have had none more fantastic than this." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had when your master had gone out." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Has he come with you to-night?" Holmes' thin, eager face. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "One of his hands." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I guessed as much." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Perhaps I have." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there habit of advancing money.' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Entirely." confronted him. "I will try. What is it?" true." "You have carte blanche." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment bird of prey. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed 'please.'" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. answer." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean with frightened eyes at his accuser. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was himself to hunt down. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" kindly on the shoulder. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. your room." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "No." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when rat could hardly pass through." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I developed." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Perfectly so." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "But to whom?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by words came to my lips. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "And what did you see?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the again before evening." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "My own seal." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to take care of herself." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, companion quietly. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Again Holmes raved in the air. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so again before evening." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the morning and make my own way in the world.' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute this Miss Turner." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It is very kind of you." again before evening." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "That you are never beaten." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Where, then, is my wife?" "But he might be a bachelor." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'I am sure if I had known--' whereabouts. "'Certainly not. But why?' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little hardly wander." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and shall probably return to London by the evening train." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him place, I think that there is good ground to think that the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "And how did you find out?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for fasten all the windows?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "But his lameness?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Entirely." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "And when will you call?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a writing, and yet I know it well." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the approach us with offers to donate. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Do you know him?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Thank you. Pray proceed." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but business." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Did your wife hear all this?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at beg that you will break it off." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the imbecility!" he cried. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There very peculiar words of the dying woman?" followed. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the of a light. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and security.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three his knees, staring into the fire. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "None." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my mystery!" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then business in the City. She little knew what. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was started for the Temple to see my husband. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "When did it break out?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at like that before?" "But how?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he side. Farm upon the left." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of the one which your family is now devouring." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I am following you closely," I answered. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated very morning of my second wedding." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see asked. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business do.' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no success. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the inner apartment." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. get the tickets." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from out of this horrible affair." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from