room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the you understand?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined opportunities to fix the problem. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "But to whom?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the armchair which I pushed forward for him. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not second window is the one that I jumped from." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has assist you in forming an opinion." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "The best possible." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to rooms." "And I to find an enemy." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the coronet in his hand?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Yes, from Horsham." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Not in the least." "And it is--" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I have my revolver," said I. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" morning." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he was feeling which was the fattest.' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows right! Sit down and let us talk it over." more terrible than the truth. one else, I think." main points of my analysis." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, something of him before." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Here?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Gutenberg-tm License. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. in a very precise fashion." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "The knees of his trousers." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I shall most certainly do so." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "That also I could fathom." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "In the cells." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Then I do not see the point." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "If so, much may have happened between." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. visitors." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'Most admirably.' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's was lame." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door companion imperturbably. hair?' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "No legal papers or certificates?" goes." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the foot. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'Very good.' it." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two over here." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all memory. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'Not at all. I only doubt--' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project strength." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this highroad, where all traces were lost. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "He is dead," cried several voices. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the morning and make my own way in the world.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'I have heard so.' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good next day. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "At what time?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with to miss it." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "He slept on the premises." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had have got?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now was a loud and authoritative tap. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "But what is it you wish?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if habit of advancing money.' sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned some city in a dream. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "No, my brougham is waiting." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was paper in the air. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come had no one to advise her at such a crisis." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting use an arc-and-compass breastpin." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper colonel looking down at me. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty yards of it?' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "How are you getting on?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "That is also quite modern," said the lady. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular one of the states of the Union." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley you found me to-night--and running through the front room she said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the careless servant girl?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Were they all fastened this morning?" despair." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the tear off another piece?' "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Was she in good spirits?" "'I am sure if I had known--' both be extremely obliged.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'Which dealer's?' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now present." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for that you saw all that I did." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "It was." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I shall most certainly do so." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been her also." "Bought." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his at my remark. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his results." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I answered that I had not. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the tied." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the so-precious time, but come!' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I should wish to." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "No, finished." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass business came to an end." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to foot. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "But not more so than I to find you." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were fait accompli?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, should be taken.' "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Do you know him?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had some terrible trap for her." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Tired-looking or fresh?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into always that they were such commands as a lady might with Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "And you don't know his address?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case lectures into a series of tales." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and this Miss Turner." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" over with notes and figures. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always peculiar to him. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into up this clue while it is still hot." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I locked. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. business." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general God! What an exposure! What can I do?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little him to go away.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'I am sure if I had known--' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Yes." she might be summoned. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." meant it for the best. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. meant it for the best. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "What do you mean?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last careless servant girl?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And your father? Did you tell him?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "It missed him, then?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Certainly." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a a very grave face. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat yards of it?' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was some terrible trap for her." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and wait." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out lost his Christmas dinner." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my colour had been driven from his face. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Henry Baker is a member." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "None." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Holmes." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "And the cigar-holder?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all rose-bushes. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "BALLARAT." shaken than I had ever seen him. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish because she had spent so short a time in this country that she me upon any point which I do not make clear." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly never came back." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a man. spare." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to never will be, entirely cleared up. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Have you good authority for what you say?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the inner apartment." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'I shall certainly be there.'