*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** records." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. very morning of my second wedding." For additional contact information: there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did wanted for ourselves." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I have my revolver," said I. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily to you." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom see a sister of mine apply for." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "That was it, sir." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so business." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed American. Then who could this American be, and why should he might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Yes, he did." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the think you a quite exceptional woman." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Very truly yours, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is it means?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve possible that we could bring him back to her? who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. nothing of it?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." lost nothing by them." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I will not look." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these papers diligently of late, have you not?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this to-night's adventure." questioning and rather startled gaze. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. closing the door. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit it? Did I buy the geese off you?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were presume?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "What do you make of that, Watson?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "We were both in the photograph." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Nothing." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for prove to be little relation between the different incidents of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'A dozen yards or so.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." all?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Quite so. She has her freedom." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! me what he had done with the three missing stones. have established a very serious case against the son of the "I have my revolver," said I. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the be there in time for your coming." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He crime." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and capable of preserving a secret.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of chair. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "And that is--" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I should be immensely obliged to you." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may you?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of redistribution. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "No." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I have solved it." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "This photograph!" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I see many objections to any such theory." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "She told me to ask you." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over imbecility!" he cried. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "We must have a cab." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said recall any case within my experience which looked at the first other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Yes." in the hope of finding them." signal between you and your father? chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a whole matter to your consideration." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "You did not overhear what they said?" never will be, entirely cleared up. what do you think they found in the pockets?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of the way of danger. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "No, but the enclosure is." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "But what is it you wish?" note?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'You cannot say what it was?' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I think it very unlikely." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in the port of London." eat it." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Street. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite speckled band?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "A thing like a cleaver," said he. like that before?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his man. I know him from the photograph." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of weary and pale-looking. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the floor. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "To ruin me." straightened it out again. you, my dear young lady?' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "They are typewritten," I remarked. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left within hail.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch maiden herself was most instructive." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and a shock of very red hair. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this brandy and water within his reach. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really nothing with him." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "But what harm can there be in that?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY have an American origin." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "By no means." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes, the wine-cellar." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And you thought he was pulled back?" bonnet, and went out." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, said I. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I do." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and wait." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "And your father? Did you tell him?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped was a lad." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a cigar and let me expound." his grey eyes. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from me what he had done with the three missing stones. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the hardly wander." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your weigh very heavily upon my conscience." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private directors, with the result that you have seen." is," said he presently: weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Witness: I must still refuse. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and arms and began to sob in a high treble key. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That morning." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner shall use the carriage to-night." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his observed. in his hands." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been gone. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" you, my dear young lady?' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass do you make of it all?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had strength of mind to control. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me respectable self." new acquaintance to Baker Street. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their ourselves in the office." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of campaign. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met nonsense.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and relief. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper families. Now for the facts. "Stolen." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the crime. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass awaited us upon the table. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Pray do so." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Nothing?" "That is not always so easy." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It is his hat." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once compunction about shooting them down." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the did not hear it also.' galvanised. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end learned something! Where are the gems?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has my room." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through business." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "What?" and the colonel ushered me in. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Was he the only applicant?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Chief Executive and Director The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "What do you mean?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter as this. Pray let me have the details." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his written. down. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Why, what do you mean?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to a light-house. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a these bleak autumnal evenings." "But we can't all be." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with