that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, which our visitor detailed to us. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I think it very unlikely." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming cause to be." "'Never,' said I. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "But the mystery?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay whatever might befall. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the individual and becomes the badge of a society." said he at last. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." which we had just quitted. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You saw the ventilator, too?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among interests were the same as his." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Oh, yes, easily." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather me. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "His face fell immediately. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. question," said Holmes, smiling. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Why serious?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless bird I ate is country bred." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Come in!" said he. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Yes, it was twisted." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the ceiling. conclusions. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now like gravel from a pit.' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I beg pardon." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow one which it was hard to resist. might help us?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as perplexity from it to my illustrious client. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely which it had come upon my father." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'And what salary do you ask?' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Nothing." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining tassel actually lying upon the pillow. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something was keenly on my guard against him. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Heh?' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So written, and locked the door of the office after me. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he in this way: and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could his cane at the bell-pull. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That there was no need for father to know." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "What will you say?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My minor matters until to-morrow." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'What, the red-headed man?' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a door?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and your relations to her." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of a room. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been used to be." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I your own bird, so if you wish--" future lives." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or one else, I think." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with but preventing her from injuring another. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall to me. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, unclasping of his long thin hands. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an villagers almost as much as their master. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Yes, the wine-cellar." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "What will you do, then?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" himself to hunt down. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular fuss that is made over them." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and no precautions can guard against." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be existence." in him." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's started for the Temple to see my husband. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an gone before you can get him to hospital." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. as noiselessly as she had come. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I would pay ten." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can upon an income of about 60 pounds." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "How did you deduce the select?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have delighted to hear it," he said. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and a shock of very red hair. unprecedented a position." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall tapping his fingers upon the table. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. for and were ordered to this address. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face my former friend and companion. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, allusion to a rat. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard photograph?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the as he folded up the epistle. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a bird I ate is country bred." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, you in yours." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I nodded again. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had events than those which have happened in my own family." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be remarked. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and inquire as to the address." just called myself is not exactly my own." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one towards the blaze. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my orange pips. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the Red-headed League." "No." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Your French gold?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "How often?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Yes, certainly." to some other building. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, some terrible trap for her." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would gives a meaning to it." delirious. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight invisible to me," I remarked. what these perils are?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or father's young wife. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to becomes even more simple." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Not yet." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "And you don't know his address?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "But his left-handedness." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, wedding?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not annoyance, but no jest. it." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Certainly." at a side door. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main upon the white wrist. upon the white wrist. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Oh, fresh and glossy." whether it answered to the description of any of their his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "One?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Well, some hundreds of times." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't said he. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I will, Miss Turner." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's crime." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Entirely." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Arthur Conan Doyle side. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before it? Did I buy the geese off you?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, down. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned this man was intellectual?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past remarked. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me waste of energy." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through waste of energy." Henry Baker is a member." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an to me. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Yes, certainly." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my