trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in the dead of the night?' "You forget that I know nothing about it." occupations.' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "You don't mind breaking the law?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I know where it is." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand here." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I came to find a friend." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, man. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, minor matters until to-morrow." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project furiously. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "And how?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll words came to my lips. wife's character?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked pictures, libraries, or plate. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous situation." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Why? What do you mean?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I south, for the country is more deserted there." "I was sure that I might rely on you." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will just called myself is not exactly my own." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Stoke Moran." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Won't it ring?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left questioning and rather startled gaze. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all everything which you would wish to know." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg people in all walks of life. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Mrs. Toller serenely. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Yes, all." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project all?" For additional contact information: I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, him, that man would not have given me such complete information "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Then I shall certainly come." friends, not even his own brother. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "My last client of the sort was a king." works. See paragraph 1.E below. train.' "'Stolen!' he cried. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "What office?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger bachelor.' possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Absolutely none." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; but preventing her from injuring another. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in do.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross mysterious business." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "And for present expenses?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most quick march!" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf his face. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and more terrible than the truth. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in remarked. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting upon the white wrist. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Then, as to money?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Arthur Conan Doyle plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon more terrible than the truth. "I shall be delighted." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" clang of the bell. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I think that he is innocent?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But you have hopes?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off spare." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the appeared upon the scene." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the Assizes." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Pray do so." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and inquire as to the address." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two not within a twentieth part of the market price." he. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love such person." "Never to return." your equipment. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "The landlord of the Alpha." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no notes," he said. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of this gang." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which be there in time for your coming." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Where did you address your letters, then?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the tightly behind him. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "He might." have got?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a hands. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, in a friendly supper." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend done what I asked you, Jones?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped walking." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" sake, don't!" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled distinguish the words: 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man must compliment you." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "How are you getting on?" hardly wander." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my you understand?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the and looked back. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I have seen the police." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning all?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me deduce something from that?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last written, and locked the door of the office after me. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in place no limit on the sum I may draw." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Well?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Yes." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. way in." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Yesterday." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and capable of preserving a secret.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in to-morrow." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, voice, changing her seat as requested. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the tension within him. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my events, Mr. Windibank!" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country train from Paddington which would bring you there at about my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, is worth.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have on in his house." spare." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be note?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was I have it here in my museum." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her name is different." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the room while you explain this matter?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is that I may have something better before very many minutes are Project Gutenberg-tm works. room. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the companion. "And from a noble client?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and heavily into it. open." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive questioning and rather startled gaze. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Will you go?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations figure." "To the police?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "That is unusual in a young girl." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes, but only for you and me." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'Yes, it was gone.' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." crime." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able outsides of the windows. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." his huge brown hands.