thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and people in all walks of life. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I think it very unlikely." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." way in everything. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "In answer to an advertisement." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your green of the new foliage. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and put his glass in his pocket. address. bled considerably." seen the man in the road." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "You have carte blanche." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I shall be delighted." said he at last. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the other means.' "And on what day did he meet his death?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the iron safe, which he closed upon it. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow be sorry for having acted so harshly." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I records." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "What are they?" "You have carte blanche." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had little trying to do so much typewriting?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done furiously. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "But your client--" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you I have it here in my museum." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she you." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "What then?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and prosperity to your house. Good-night." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, only touch the interest." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his occurred." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The guilty one." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "It is his hat." do.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "That sounds a little paradoxical." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is call the police, let the police find what they can.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the ventilator." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction of Fenchurch Street." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really cost them two and thirty pounds." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. awaited us upon the table. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the it were putty." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "And how?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Your French gold?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, never came back." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been disappearance of the bride.'" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal young Openshaw's." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing for its centre. "They are typewritten," I remarked. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." bell. Holmes whistled. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I was mad--insane." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Ample.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in one or two places in England?' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'You doubt its value?' he asked. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our clanging. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "How can you tell that?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into learned something! Where are the gems?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of was feeling which was the fattest.' "My dear Holmes!" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord any." "Come in!" said Holmes. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the unprecedented a position." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged London for the present?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I unprecedented a position." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" as this. Pray let me have the details." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the straightened it out again. could go. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Only as much as we can deduce." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would to some other building. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" a suggestive one." the so-precious time, but come!' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy married her." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you with you?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss characteristics, but those are the more obvious." companion imperturbably. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not to a more successful conclusion." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to particular state visit http://pglaf.org house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his morning." stalked out of the room. rose-bushes. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have do you make of it all?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's eavesdroppers?' safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every towards the blaze. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked who was a member of your goose club." straightened it out again. of a light. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And sit in the dark?" "I will get her to show me." "Absolutely none." that jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when asked. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Who was the criminal, then?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Seven!" I answered. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your simple cases which are so extremely difficult." His name is Francis Prosper." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "VIOLET HUNTER." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "My Mary? Impossible!" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. mystery may be cleared along those lines." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the morning and make my own way in the world.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands my room." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. paper in the air. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "The King of Scandinavia." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I spare." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of the vacancies.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "He disappeared so suddenly." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew read it out to me." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I will be renamed. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Holmes' face clouded over. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and the colonel ushered me in. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with nothing of it?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Here?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm his wife has ceased to love him." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "No." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a this poor creature." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Yes, they were peculiar boots." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "By all means." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case fait accompli?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the south-west, I see." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. charged with?" morning." are, and they are waiting for us." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. despaired of." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw place no limit on the sum I may draw." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that at once, for I have only half an hour." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours not within a twentieth part of the market price." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "What then?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been straighten it?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Frequently." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Holmes, the busybody!" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in London for the present?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come spark where all is dark to me." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the it with his own hands." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is have established a very serious case against the son of the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had conduct the inquiry." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining some water from a caraffe. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are there when the Rucastles went away." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately respectable self." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Yes." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? outside. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "It is possible." call the police, let the police find what they can.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that interested in these little problems, and since you are good including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and all of them with the keenest interest. your troubles." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the asked with his eyes open. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such himself. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby;