I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "But she could not love him." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey manager. of this gang." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would gone. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. several quiet little villages up there." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." your troubles." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. believe that I should never have any practice at all. been with you?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, empty. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." she used." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "How many? I don't know." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to carried out of court." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric fishes. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the fuss that is made over them." them?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Have you her photograph?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The King stared at him in amazement. to-night's adventure." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until gbnewby@pglaf.org "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with opened a pocket-book and took out a note. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight particular state visit http://pglaf.org my former friend and companion. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the Assizes." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 might have a private word with us. "My private note-paper." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "It is his hat." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I see no marks." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the leaning back in his chair. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "You think that he is dead?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the bedroom door." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." newspaper selections." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of see a sister of mine apply for." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was this remarkable episode. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view not within a twentieth part of the market price." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Certainly." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the bed, and you in that chair." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in all?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled here." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our might have a private word with us. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over it right.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and derbies." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our call the police, let the police find what they can.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as open." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I will get her to show me." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "One?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, it was twisted." we went to search for him, face downward in a little the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I minor matters until to-morrow." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy tied." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his you came in." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very was a loud and authoritative tap. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I himself. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "And sit in the dark?" "The Cedars?" was shining brightly. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "It must be recovered." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "The doctor?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging test if we have an answer to our advertisement." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Yes, sir." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Could he throw no light?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a matters immensely." money should be paid at once.' there in twenty minutes." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of take the flies, but not before." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two The telegram which we eventually received came late one night what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Your presence might be invaluable." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. until night should bring an explanation. least a fellow-countryman. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "You think so, too?" "An enemy?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "A greater distance to travel." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke outbreak?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Witness: It was. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. married her." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Which are?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where definite end. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Not I." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I have a cab outside." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "The landlord of the Alpha." the one as in the other." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not which we had just quitted. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. stood on the top of it. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, read it out to me." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. words came to my lips. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of woven round him. his huge brown hands. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and it right.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was your most interesting statement." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some prisoner's face. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter derbies." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, this remarkable episode. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "To an English lawyer named Norton." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you ordinary clothes on?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "To the police?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some get her out of the way." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Yes, from Horsham." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I you for a few hours?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'As governess?' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or had formerly been in part my own. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "I don't believe it." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Very well, sir. And this stone?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that I may have something better before very many minutes are of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow believe that I should never have any practice at all. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. success. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Did your wife hear all this?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, sneer upon his pale face. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the dangers which encompass me." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush one's self under obligations.' o'clock is it?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "By no means." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "That is not always so easy." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid bill, which interests me deeply." "I cannot imagine." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to affect your life." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the very letters. But what is this written above them?' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rat could hardly pass through." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. garden below. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Why did you beat the pavement?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "How about poison?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "And Miss Sutherland?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Do you know him?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Pray tell us what has happened to you." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of indiscretion." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "One of his hands." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the general public were present, then?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It was." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Here?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to fled together." the south-west, I see." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is leave you to your papers for a little." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our from you?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it some water from a caraffe. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off peculiar to him. "You did not overhear what they said?"