say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But towards the blaze. I nodded again. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my before the coroner and the police-court." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "How many? I don't know." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I was sure that I might rely on you." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose you." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "It is to him that this trophy belongs." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Only as much as we can deduce." drawing your inferences." said he. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Ten will be early enough." on re-entering her father's house?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the Red-headed League." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. said he. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From might have a private word with us. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little business?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. closely." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "How about poison?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before question. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand hard-headed British jury." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "To an English lawyer named Norton." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Who by?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send likely to be some crony of the landlady's." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, remarked. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, behind me. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, derbies." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." rose-bushes. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I fait accompli?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. words came to my lips. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "What will you say?" imbecility!" he cried. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and laid it on the table. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and the whole place is in a blaze." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of them has the shutters up.' father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "What office?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely things are very often connected not with the larger but with the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I nonsense.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general London for the present?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in wanted for ourselves." "Yes, from Horsham." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "None. Neville wrote those words." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one my room." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure garden below. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the coronet in his hands?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I am not easy in my mind about them." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. morning." excitement. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no retorted upon me, and I on you." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him before, for it was considerably after midnight. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'There is a drive, then?' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had her also." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. remarked. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Did he not advertise?" "How on earth--" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "He said that you could solve anything." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, know what is wrong with it.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the driver. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, lamp. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "And now?" He raised his hand. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the coronet in his hands?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of it with the greatest attention. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. were wasted." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On carriage. It was a chestnut." own family. "And how in the world did you find them?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Is 4 pounds a week.' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before ceremony." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is seven miles from Eyford Station.' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "That is easily got." records." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured undoubtedly my uncle's." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Sutherland. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its newspaper selections." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the certainly do as you advise." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Bought." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Not him." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You horrify me!" "'Yes, sir.' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in gives a meaning to it." matters immensely." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His indeed happy." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of receipt of the work. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of tear off another piece?' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Of what day?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are to where he stood hid behind the curtain. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I question. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? upon a handsome competence. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "No?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed who was a member of your goose club." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "That was it, sir." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some possible that we could bring him back to her? hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my not personally threatened." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Then you may be so with me." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was colour had been driven from his face. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was present." drove away. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the inner apartment." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "But how?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I know where it is." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I am still in the dark." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, you want, then?' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "In San Francisco, a year ago." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he bearing upon the case." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I shall continue with my miserable story. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he chill to my heart. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "No, I am descending." "I fear not." new acquaintance to Baker Street. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Very good.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to some other building. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "What are they?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." union?" a suggestive one." "In heaven's name, what for?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Holmes. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "That is not always so easy." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium was a lad." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell gentleman's clothes. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of receipt of the work. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was correct than the official force." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate several quiet little villages up there." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Of what day?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white that I can to serve you." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her death." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'I have already given you my word.' "Yes, all." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all knowledge of the world." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they IS Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the chambers. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney