vague figure huddled up in the darkness. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me congenial hunt. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." would apply.' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I was sure that I might rely on you." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Frequently." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H suspect him." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "But what will you do?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Ample." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Quite so. She has her freedom." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It he died? of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." you." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical throat." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "But his left-handedness." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, directors, with the result that you have seen." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the station." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' shaken than I had ever seen him. definite end. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with His smile broadened. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you front of me. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'And the work?' "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I shall most certainly do so." eat it." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. one's self under obligations.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it clanging. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking whereabouts. be.' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible gone before you can get him to hospital." wall." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I colonel looking down at me. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might happened." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided is so. I know all about McCarthy." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when against a man in the prime of life?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and my former friend and companion. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "What steps will you take?" I asked. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of questioning and rather startled gaze. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for said he. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by name is different." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to presume?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. definite end. "'Is purely nominal.' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "What! Had he lost his wife?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his least a fellow-countryman. so far?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked residence of the great financier. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and put his glass in his pocket. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Sutherland. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' be there in time for your coming." showing my impatience. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all conceal it?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the back to my heart. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Then I do not see the point." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of asked. is worth.' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with business." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a your troubles." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an you for a few hours?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I cannot say that I have." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "There are none." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the him and tried to hold him back. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "What are they?" made him keep the appointment." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Of what day?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Yes." Clair, of Lee." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I don't say that. Perhaps." prison!" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his appeal." Street. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had rooms." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some friends, not even his own brother. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to there has been an enclosure here!" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to not, dad?" she asked. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my thought that she would have been so carried away." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a monotonous occupation." it." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Yes, sir.' "But you were on a friendly footing?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Holmes." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw digesting their breakfasts at home." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for relation between them, and what the object of his repeated question," said Holmes, smiling. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see off." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Chief Executive and Director trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "None. Neville wrote those words." 'please.'" "Certainly." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "And your father? Did you tell him?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the client, rising. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his redistribution. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "An enemy?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "It is very kind of you." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "If so, much may have happened between." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the this as likely?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "What of the rat, then?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical power." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." weary and pale-looking. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "You will not go there first?" unclasping of his long thin hands. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Thank you. And your address?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Then I shall certainly come." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. morning." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these was shining brightly. "By no means." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "To an end?" to take care of herself." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'Ten to two.' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, legal crime." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Look there!" said he. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily that?' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Nothing." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Countess of Morcar's?" "'Why that?' I asks. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "How did you trace it, then?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "That is unusual in a young girl." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to take care of herself." the inner apartment." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You have carte blanche." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the get her out of the way." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with any more." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Dr. Becher's." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Indeed! Whose, then?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and a shock of very red hair. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "The Cedars?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "How on earth--" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not