Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced carriage. It was a chestnut." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop front of the hall door has given its name to the place. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "There are none." "'Which dealer's?' direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the writing, and yet I know it well." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "When did she vanish, then?" "Murdered?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Very murderous indeed." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and the whole place is in a blaze." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, hour?' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "But he might be a bachelor." "I beg pardon." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense little trying to do so much typewriting?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel been shamefully used." back into the street. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical hour." some water from a caraffe. forecastle of an emigrant ship. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in head. So long, then!" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met forbidden door. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the dangers which encompass me." "But you have hopes?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle October 9, 1890. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to humiliation." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in our word." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a cheerful." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Then, as to money?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. other, as fresh and trim as possible. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary felt the room to be a little close.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Absolutely none." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, nonsense.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "You have carte blanche." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even outsides of the windows. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "The gentleman I describe." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and laid it on the table. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for weapon." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "And I." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Does that suggest anything?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'There is a drive, then?' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "What do you make of that, Watson?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned that?' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence mysterious end." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "And you don't know his address?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out gigantic client. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is his grey eyes. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done weary and pale-looking. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." fasten all the windows?" deduce something from that?" events, Mr. Windibank!" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and effective." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of will not take me long to tell. "No." get her out of the way." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It is to him that this trophy belongs." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "He slept on the premises." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Not yet." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we of campaign. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that you for a few hours?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the off." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself which was all perfectly true. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project October 9, 1890. knowledge of the world." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one brain must have something in it." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the presented more singular features than that which was associated "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the to Leatherhead. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a What do you deduce from it?" "Where, then?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an his forehead." "Pray continue your narrative." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Has he come with you to-night?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in this way: our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "She walked into the breakfast-room." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Frequently." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need most important business. It is probable that he will be away all quite distinctive." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical power." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. better grown goose." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Come in!" said Holmes. "Whose house is it?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. what I may call a really hard day's work." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which this Miss Turner." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Which dealer's?' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'I shall certainly be there.' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for go from here to the Strand." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Doctor, of the paper and the date." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the coronet in his hands?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "But his lameness?" was used.' conceal it?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Very truly yours, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and weary and pale-looking. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner if I call to-morrow?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. what I may call a really hard day's work." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered as noiselessly as she had come. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** God! What an exposure! What can I do?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "The knees of his trousers." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "What can it mean?" I gasped. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two indeed happy." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I should wish to." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of nice household for a young lady." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Eyford." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't gbnewby@pglaf.org was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, III. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with ceremony." your co-operation." "I have a cab outside." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." photograph a cabinet?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should people in all walks of life. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for you." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the running down." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Of what day?" said Mr. Holder. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you flock.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "My private note-paper." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the room while you explain this matter?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from populous neighbourhood." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the coronet at all injured?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Mary, has deserted me." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, compunction about shooting them down." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his that results." village inn over there?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I this as likely?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear photograph?" "Was she in good spirits?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand all that?" "Entirely." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "And why?" cause to be." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You'll never persuade me to believe that." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "None." "Why did you pick him?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "It is a murder, then?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's know that the truth is known." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I have my revolver," said I. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he said I. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "But I have heard all that you have heard." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I think it very unlikely." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I peculiar to him. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a