thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the when you have done it." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." showing my impatience. of the one which your family is now devouring." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after in a friendly supper." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further whatever might befall. to miss it." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get salesman. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I cannot tell." instituted." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Serpentine Avenue. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw enter into my head. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" meanly of me." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years down from London to inquire more deeply into it." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "10th. John Swain cleared. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the companion imperturbably. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It was an hour's good drive." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes learned something! Where are the gems?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Your presence might be invaluable." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I have my revolver," said I. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Could he throw no light?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'Where to?' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Murdered?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who lectures into a series of tales." "'I am sure if I had known--' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "But who is he?" "None." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Who by?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my standing smiling on the door-step. and have this put in the evening papers." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Who was the criminal, then?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "No, but the enclosure is." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to talk it over. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly matters immensely." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by IS allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could at a side door. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an of his shoulders. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a wedding?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and it need not interfere very much with one's other in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I which are rolled in Rotterdam." the so-precious time, but come!' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the like gravel from a pit.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the even so self-evident a thing as that." gigantic client. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the inner apartment." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Absolutely?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so window when the police appeared." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the too. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Your French gold?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was weighed down with some great anxiety. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "You think that he is dead?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City I shall communicate with you." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy whether it answered to the description of any of their her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "She will not sell." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest man. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the one as in the other." "'In my own bureau.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. without a word or a look. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" business came to an end." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "And you can do nothing until then?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling works. See paragraph 1.E below. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine were unconscious?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** pierced for earrings?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "He is still with you, I presume?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is then?" "How did you trace it, then?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very bore every mark of being an average commonplace British note?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the roots. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of it with the greatest attention. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the kindly on the shoulder. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, tell him that I know him to be innocent." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my heavily into it. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "We were both in the photograph." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Nearly eleven." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'Ten to two.' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against instituted." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar companion imperturbably. as yours." so.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "So I have heard." gbnewby@pglaf.org anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the best of training." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Was your sister dressed?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead it." "Her father is very rich?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been third from London." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and no precautions can guard against." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and paper in the air. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third closing the door. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. this as likely?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Tired-looking or fresh?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see His name is Francis Prosper." the ceiling. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my advice." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Yes, but only for you and me." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was drawing your inferences." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and time." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "That's no good." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time light and attacked it." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his read it out to me." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'Why that?' I asks. or in danger--" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself laugh and put his lips to my ear. one which it was hard to resist. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and him and tried to hold him back. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically may never be exposed to such a temptation." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that miles off. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "By all means." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "The King of Scandinavia." to that open window." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon lost his Christmas dinner." flock.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no rooms." "Yes." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not sofa. This way, please!" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right for securing the situation." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Here?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his fact, we may call it conclusive." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been in the hope of finding them." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left our word." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Gutenberg-tm License. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I will try. What is it?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring happened." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "And Miss Sutherland?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Married! When?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "The doctor?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, interests were the same as his." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'Where could I find him?' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that been with you?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years God! What an exposure! What can I do?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "He might." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him was already answered. said he. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his prison!" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Foundation "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished tassel actually lying upon the pillow. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a reach." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you mystery." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a your Highness to the police-station?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see