Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy should be so warm over such a trifle." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he neither fascinating nor artistic." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty your sleep?' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." himself to hunt down. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "It is very kind of you." "'Which dealer's?' to a more successful conclusion." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I am in hopes that she does." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the coronet in his hand?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, my former friend and companion. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & feature." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly photograph?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Yes." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "But she will refuse." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It's nothing of the kind." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use me upon any point which I do not make clear." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Yes, the wine-cellar." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "By no means." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like spare." telegram would bring me down to your help." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "And the cigar-holder?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and your Highness to the police-station?" morning." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. drawing your inferences." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white handed it to him. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. obstinate." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of maiden herself was most instructive." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered way: I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End companion quietly. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H man. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "And what did you learn from him?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on vague figure huddled up in the darkness. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I think that I had better go, Holmes." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" attention." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "And how?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Won't it ring?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it said he. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for side. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "So I have heard." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of matter." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was that I can to serve you." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Yes, it would be as well." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "You have it, sir, just as it happened." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Here?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, your Highness to the police-station?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of tension within him. "You have the photograph?" hardly wander." it." Does that suggest anything?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining intimate personal affairs in this public manner." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue are, and they are waiting for us." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "He disappeared so suddenly." and the whole place is in a blaze." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. that, and I came down." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the go back?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "That is not always so easy." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly outside." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Where, then, is my wife?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "On Monday." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "But we can't all be." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You think so, too?" Mary, has deserted me." shall not find me ungrateful." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover green of the new foliage. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Pray do so." "You have carte blanche." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those bill, which interests me deeply." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a 'please.'" "He might." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to strode off upon his way. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they II. deduce something from that?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It must be recovered." the devil!" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without developed." "And help." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions really the only notable feature about the thing." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "You think so, too?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I will try. What is it?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Entirely." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black character. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner there in twenty minutes." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "What then?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the driver. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. careless servant girl?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other him." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And I." Mrs. Toller serenely. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "In answer to an advertisement." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident daring than any effort of the imagination." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the page at http://pglaf.org was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for he bowed and left the room without another word. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "And Irene Adler?" already referred to. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "No, I think that I'll take it." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You know me, then?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to-night's adventure." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more man. I know him from the photograph." populous neighbourhood." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And did you observe any change in her then?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It is to him that this trophy belongs." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may been lifted and conveyed somewhere." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes placed his cuttings. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I was mad--insane." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'And what salary do you ask?' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my call you and give you the chance." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "What then?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You horrify me!" "'Certainly not.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is public press." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes outside." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the matter." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'There is a drive, then?' "Imitated." at a side door. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two good-night and bustled off upon her way. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "No." miles off. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the armchair which I pushed forward for him. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It is true that I have been generally successful." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "You will not go there first?" "And Miss Sutherland?" closing the door. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white to Leatherhead. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I 11:15.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'About the same.' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious spare." here and I will read it to you: unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent which should have the effect of calling the attention of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness directors, with the result that you have seen." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black had this final quarrel? drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and from the brougham. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "That is it on the dressing-table." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Holmes' room. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on room. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden opportunities to fix the problem. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "But you were on a friendly footing?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you footfalls from the street. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Yes, that is the Crown." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Was he the only applicant?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, disturbance in my wife." appointment with me for six o'clock?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. highroad, where all traces were lost. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Dr. Becher's." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the child." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I promise," said Holmes. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes." "They are typewritten," I remarked. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the very morning of the wedding." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a certainly do as you advise." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary cigars in their mouths. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a strength in the others." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible