"But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, affection." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave very peculiar words of the dying woman?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been go--none." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Well, it is a possible supposition." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I cannot imagine." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. foot. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Your presence might be invaluable." question," said Holmes, smiling. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a this unhappy family?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United shaken than I had ever seen him. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the himself. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner night.' said he. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" at once, for I have only half an hour." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of them has the shutters up.' were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Certainly,' I answered. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Mrs. Toller serenely. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Witness: It was. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had wanted for ourselves." any." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. him." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'Very good.' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' II. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I fear not." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has thin legs towards the fire. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "When did it break out?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his results." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'I shall certainly be there.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We redistribution. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "No, distinctly professional." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time point in the dark hollow of his hand. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I don't say that. Perhaps." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "It is possible." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project morning." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Dirty?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers late!' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Not particularly." the dangers which encompass me." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he mysterious business." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "The gentleman I describe." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke arrangements." memory. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able as the one I chose?' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill I nodded again. been able to understand it, in a very few words. call you and give you the chance." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, someone who had been in Australia." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum laugh and put his lips to my ear. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Pray do so." "I cannot say that I have." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Well." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no said I. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "But she will refuse." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their despaired of." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I should be immensely obliged to you." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the house with me." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves God! What an exposure! What can I do?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a with some details as to your case." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but see a sister of mine apply for." "Is he quiet?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed with you?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at system of imprisonment?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "What then?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I him to be an active member of the medical profession." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just later, upon the night of May 2nd." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the guilty one." young Openshaw's." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" he. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "He disappeared so suddenly." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you and prosperity to your house. Good-night." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my wedding?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "From his hat?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you confronted him. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both less than 26s. 4d. "Look there!" said he. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Yes." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Her father is very rich?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of are windows in it, of course?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "In heaven's name, what for?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Miss Holder?" "A client, then?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive redistribution. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I business." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "The Cedars?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her of fine shops and stately business premises that they really But Holmes shook his head gravely. helping a boy to put up the shutters. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Mary, has deserted me." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the you in your example." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to in the port of London." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Tired-looking or fresh?" it." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "From his hat?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is hour?' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of train.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on touch that coronet?' "Certainly." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling interest. They are important, you understand, without being Cross for the Continent." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion and wait." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'How far from the body?' bearing upon the case." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as down in his armchair and closing his eyes. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could light and attacked it." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Yes, the wine-cellar." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, our word." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. galvanised. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me which our visitor detailed to us. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled wanted for ourselves." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear which I could not give. He asked for Alice. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. constraint." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And it is--" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of unclasping of his long thin hands. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Thank you. And your address?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "In answer to an advertisement." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and have been better. It is all right." "That is easily got." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I see many objections to any such theory." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'And the work?' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "And you don't know his address?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "No, I am descending." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what of Mr. Rucastle's." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Witness: It was. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet became a certainty. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Not him." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay said I. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'Not at all. I only doubt--' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in carried out of court." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have had none more fantastic than this." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies crime. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still true." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features fire. You quite follow me?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Yes. He waved his hands." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be