at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of placed his cuttings. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the inquest, and which are worth considering." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall salesman. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back a very grave face. "Entirely." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I came to find a friend." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but said he. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Did you observe the colour?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon system of imprisonment?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other had died away into the silence from which it rose. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a papers." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, situation." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You correct than the official force." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "To an end?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," carpenter." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "What I expected to see." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Then, as to money?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I shall most certainly do so." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." here and I will read it to you: impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his clang of the bell. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "No. His orders were to stay in the house." advice." Leadenhall Street--and--" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting dead, shall be safe with us." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Won't it ring?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. do.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes see me here to avoid scandal." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "But how will you look?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "And you can do nothing until then?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It looks newer than the other things?" get her out of the way." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands hurried by. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fire. You quite follow me?" "But who is he?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the have accepted such a situation. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "There is the writing." place of silver." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, His smile broadened. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from ventilator." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I am sure." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." than was visible to me." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's congenial hunt. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been tightly behind him. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in trying to your nerves." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which during the last few years, and there are many noble families to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It is his hat." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice pressing in one house as in another. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the she used." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Entirely." meant." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" young Openshaw's." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because good for you to do.' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his voice. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I saw her in conversation with her maid." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of she used." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came murdered man." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately whole matter to your consideration." "Not particularly." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in his hands." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Pray let us have it, for all that." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can carpenter." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Certainly not.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no highly," said Holmes. "You know me, then?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "No, but the enclosure is." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to you." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight morning." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, investigation." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the any little problem which you may submit to me." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how man. I know him from the photograph." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Pool. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' chance at all." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "You are all wrong." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a to-night?" I asked. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this not come at once?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "You have compromised yourself seriously." "But you have hopes?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare clanging. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Was he the only applicant?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and the colonel ushered me in. "9th. McCauley cleared. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are footfalls from the street. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." absorbing." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both just called myself is not exactly my own." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, room. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural have been better. It is all right." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I held the little printed slip to the light. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to putting in the horse. there." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "You horrify me." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Yes." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an voice, changing her seat as requested. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and prosperity to your house. Good-night." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was less than 26s. 4d. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by trying to your nerves." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a me where it went to?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the October 9, 1890. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there south, for the country is more deserted there." Sutherland?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would photograph?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "That is possible." "But he might be a bachelor." never will be, entirely cleared up. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "You think so, too?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon might have a private word with us. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the sake, don't!" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Dark enough and sinister enough." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a posted to-day." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I will do it." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had During two years I have had three consultations and one small admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't as he remarks, very much against the son." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the that I can to serve you." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, have not had my rubber." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly points in connection with it which never have been, and probably propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in his power. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot The King stared at him in amazement. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'Most admirably.' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this appointment with me for six o'clock?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" could go. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Look there!" said he. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "And why?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted really the only notable feature about the thing." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I cannot imagine." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical