again, where I was soon asleep. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of conclusions. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Sutherland. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are second." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side him to go away.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns anything to a woman, for she would have her way." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, might help us?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the present." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where outside. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we gbnewby@pglaf.org "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "What I expected to see." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He becomes even more simple." "What then?" new duties?' points to suicide?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my were unconscious?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It whereabouts. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the yet." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you have got?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "You horrify me!" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I will, Miss Turner." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even that?' quickly through a disagreeable task. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Entirely." if only as a check to my own memory." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. at once, for I have only half an hour." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Then you may entirely rely on me." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Gutenberg-tm License. "And what did you see?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose weary and pale-looking. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! any more." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "How many? I don't know." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and was a perfect sample of the class. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Oh, yes, easily." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be miles off. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. kindly on the shoulder. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. confronted him. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to a good hundred miles off by now." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who he. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the of your young ladies.' one which it was hard to resist. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Not particularly." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It came here." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon my little problems." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. lamp. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, 1.F. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "But how could you guess what the motive was?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that be.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the suddenly upon us." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "It surprised me." Street. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is stammered. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the are, I think, all that we need." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this persecution?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Where, then, is my wife?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "You saw the ventilator, too?" here." father's place of business?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the little opening for the ventilator is." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to a light-house. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, enter into my head. "It is true that I have been generally successful." the bed, and you in that chair." guilty one." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand returned to France?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Always." "What do you mean?" Holmes' thin, eager face. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If galvanised. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter your Highness to the police-station?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "So I heard. You have him here?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with and no precautions can guard against." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Were they all fastened this morning?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is made his money." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were impression behind it as though a window had gently closed information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, looking up at the numbers of the houses." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong my little problems." "No legal papers or certificates?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." became a certainty. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to to take care of herself." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I have come for advice." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the loss of it. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "What then?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Is he quiet?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as everything which you would wish to know." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and strength in the others." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Then I do not see the point." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I might help us?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Not social, then?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that tension within him. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come evidence," I remarked. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a at my own good fortune. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be yards of it?' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building points in connection with it which never have been, and probably accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. into the room. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself beg that you will break it off." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a you." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "None." "I am to be neutral?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of his wife has ceased to love him." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord point in the dark hollow of his hand. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the house with me." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes, he did." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "An enemy?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, weary and pale-looking. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "So I heard. You have him here?" "'Which dealer's?' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Yes." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and have got?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is happened." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to take care of herself." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become round and wave him away like that.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "You heard nothing yourself last night?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." not personally threatened." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of any little problem which you may submit to me." "But you were on a friendly footing?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'I am sure if I had known--' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily daring than any effort of the imagination." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst ordinary clothes on?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "My Mary? Impossible!" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I assure you that I am in your hands." "And now?" I asked. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I would pay ten." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Edgeware Road. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Yes, at the mines." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the ceiling. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having in his hands." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "You think so, too?"