"'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you even of instruction." "'Certainly,' I answered. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I have a cab outside." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see in the port of London." "What I expected to see." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his all that?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it green of the new foliage. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "And leave your case unfinished?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my morning." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "But what will you do?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a there!' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked his grey eyes. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague your bag." introspective fashion. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I will get her to show me." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "I will try. What is it?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you there was no need for father to know." question. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I cannot as yet see any connection." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my I am not easy in my mind about them." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the said he. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting you." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "That was it, sir." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Then you may entirely rely on me." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where spare." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and his forehead." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master cigars in their mouths. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Entirely." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the morning and make my own way in the world.' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo upon the shelf for the interim." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and foot. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Really! You surprise me." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and in my life." conduct the inquiry." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. any little problem which you may submit to me." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw she to prove their authenticity?" do.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Now, then, what's the last entry?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social obstinate." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. were unconscious?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of that you wished to speak to me?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the devil!" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. ways of our fellow-men." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. o'clock is it?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin written, and locked the door of the office after me. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very became a certainty. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being God! What an exposure! What can I do?" any." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he coat-tails." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I you." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "And what did you see?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" never to learn it at all." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he flock.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore American. Then who could this American be, and why should he frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry may have an influence upon European history." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I way in." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step companion. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and the church but not where the lady lived." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the matter?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Did you observe the colour?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Then how many are there?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I approached. "Never." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'Stolen!' he cried. narrative." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I cannot imagine." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. relief. Pope's Court. heavily into it. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand she to prove their authenticity?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing to you." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "When did it break out?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Murdered?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, how narrow had been my escape. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." him!" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with pity, because in other respects you would really have done very information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to interests were the same as his." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in himself in a perplexing position. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the fluttered off among the others. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I warn you that they are very incomplete." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide such person." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative in a very precise fashion." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the bare slabs of marble. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But where we are going." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I tell me that you intended to go into harness." hand, madam?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a someone who had been in Australia." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "There is the writing." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel shoulder; "he's all right." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Certainly,' I answered. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon his eyes and forehead. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Eyford at 11:15.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you point our research must commence, and we will begin it by chair. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been sufficient punishment." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it who was a member of your goose club." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait threw himself down with his face to the pillow. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I saw her in conversation with her maid." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed public press." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, should be so warm over such a trifle." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "The doctor?" nonsense.' any." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Yes.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "It's nothing of the kind." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of the efforts of the United States government and of the better association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "The rest you will leave in our hands." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. you, my dear young lady?' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "My stepfather's business papers." assist you in forming an opinion." the devil!" "Then how many are there?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house light and attacked it." "BALLARAT." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has pity, because in other respects you would really have done very it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Where to?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must to change my dress. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it answered with a sidelong glance. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Eyford at 11:15.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, happened." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you how narrow had been my escape. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat train.' "Was he the only applicant?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the name is different." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend this as likely?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more spark where all is dark to me." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran investigation." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Leave Paddington by the 11:15." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was mysterious end." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But not more so than I to find you." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to his chemical studies. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter bled considerably." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I do." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding burst out into a roar of laughter. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the newspaper selections." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of Mr. Rucastle's." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "You horrify me." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital conceal it?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in