Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Then what has happened to him?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your conceal it?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'About the same.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And why in hopes?" "What will you say?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, union?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Come in!" said Holmes. photograph a cabinet?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. too. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Munro.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was crime. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold was lame." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow when your master had gone out." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was eat it." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: mystery!" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the window, rose as we entered. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door assist you in forming an opinion." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "It is very kind of you." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for than to us. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the coronet in his hands?" "Very truly yours, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'Certainly,' I answered. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Why, what do you mean?" wall." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Where is it, then?" "Will you bet, then?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Of Friday, June 19th." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that he will be back before evening." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind voice. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked business?" details." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent asked. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes, but only for you and me." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." what these perils are?" to a light-house. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some him." "I have a cab outside." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of upon the white wrist. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had you." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "That is not always so easy." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I see many objections to any such theory." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Nothing?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Frequently." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before that there was nothing in it, after all." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Your sister is dead, then?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and prosperity to your house. Good-night." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the presented more singular features than that which was associated been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Yes?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Where did he live, then?" "Breckinridge is his name." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He opened a pocket-book and took out a note. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Why? What do you mean?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "In San Francisco, a year ago." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "What can it mean?" I gasped. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "What do you make of that, Watson?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper of the one which your family is now devouring." "I am to be neutral?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "He said too much." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and have this put in the evening papers." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of them has the shutters up.' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the this as likely?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward affection." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and have this put in the evening papers." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed away into the river." "Perhaps I have." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable detective. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "In what way?" asked Holmes. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with it." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "You don't mind breaking the law?" his cane at the bell-pull. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this dear old homesteads?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise national property. I was determined that the law should have its Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Yes, certainly." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "And who is her maid?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what any more." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "By all means." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Certainly." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Never." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was me." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the King without delay." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the that you can jump it.' the child." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to have been novel and of interest." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Stoke Moran?" said he. crowd. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "'How far from the body?' "That also I could fathom." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons furiously. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like an introduction to him?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Yes.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me hurried by. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. girl said." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question handed it to him. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to carriage. It was a chestnut." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin wife's character?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Why serious?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran What do you deduce from it?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your country, and eventually married, without anyone having a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "And did you observe any change in her then?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. chance at all." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the bottom.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "The Cedars?" it." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, village inn over there?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It just ask you whether you had heard it.' asked. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would meant." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Not particularly." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City lamp in his hand. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the foot. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some relief. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "In answer to an advertisement." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There a little more before I quite committed myself. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Two days later this same performance was gone through under platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. me." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual written. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It looks newer than the other things?" door?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the station." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She colour had been driven from his face. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have envelope. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in words came to my lips. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I shall communicate with you." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the