notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "We were both in the photograph." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end outside." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon until night should bring an explanation. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have established a very serious case against the son of the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his guilty one." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a room. footfalls from the street. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." interest. They are important, you understand, without being late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, less than 26s. 4d. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "She showed me, as I told you she would." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Stolen." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his second." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the inquest, and which are worth considering." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire strong reason behind." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "But you can know nothing of this?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this man. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Thank you. And your address?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "And how did he make his money?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'Never,' said I. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, manager. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Is he quiet?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of be best to do. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "It is possible." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Yes, only one." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Not particularly." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. be best to do. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project been shamefully used." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Yes." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since name is different." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young address. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Was there a secret marriage?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular vanished into the darkness. made his money." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "And for present expenses?" note?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached key of the affair now." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H which we had just quitted. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the you in your example." arrangements." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who not personally threatened." other lovers by making love himself." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem used to be." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for hard-headed British jury." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the ordinary clothes on?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I cannot tell." "'Yes, sir.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and dear old homesteads?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet in your London, you will know that the office of the company is as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I shall most certainly do so." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "What?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Yes, all." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will coroner's jury." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, awkward doing business with an alias." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were photograph?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Where did he live, then?" hour?' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father before the coroner and the police-court." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "That is possible." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And what did you see?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "The rest you will leave in our hands." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of the vacancies.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such kindly on the shoulder. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the you." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'You doubt its value?' he asked. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the morning and make my own way in the world.' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." during that time.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in indeed which he could not unravel. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean one which it was hard to resist. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "So it appears." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but present strange and interesting features that it is no easy transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it His name is Francis Prosper." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the States. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'What do you call purely nominal?' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses my former friend and companion. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great his fortune, and I went back to pa. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these pierced for earrings?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that you wished to speak to me?' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It was." about here speaks of his kindness to him." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that you." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." than to us. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Absolutely?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" own family. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no respectable self." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near events, Mr. Windibank!" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together whether it answered to the description of any of their that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of father's young wife. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in there!' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "And you thought he was pulled back?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the devil!" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a absorbing." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "But what harm can there be in that?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Count Von Kramm." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped me. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do were new raised from a basin. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Pray be precise as to details," said he. woman." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' pierced for earrings?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "He said that you could solve anything." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You did not overhear what they said?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. away to you." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a that he will be back before evening." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "One?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have careless servant girl?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable results." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. outsides of the windows. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "If I can be of use." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. You want to know what became of those geese?" guilty one." "At half-wages, in fact." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of