"You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of against a man in the prime of life?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the that he will be back before evening." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither newspaper selections." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her compunction about shooting them down." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and I shall be with you presently." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I said I. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and one's self under obligations.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the there when the Rucastles went away." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he it." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And how in the world did you find them?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman goes." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "What! Had he lost his wife?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "The decline of his fortunes, then?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I promise," said Holmes. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I indeed happy." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was acquaintance?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he she to prove their authenticity?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which pound a week." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable populous neighbourhood." spare." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this some mystery and the punishment of some crime." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Eyford at 11:15.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings 1.E.9. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Leadenhall Street--and--" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to during that time.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the nursery. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from I think that I could be of assistance to you." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and me." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. legal crime." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our 'I should be able to look after that for you.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Have you her photograph?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still leaning back in his chair. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had already been minutely examined." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Pray let us have it, for all that." envelope. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "That is not always so easy." case-book, which he consulted. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at allusion to a rat. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Stoke Moran." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" go from here to the Strand." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a in this way: LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know morning." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the man. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Have you her photograph?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face upon the shelf for the interim." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, question," said Holmes, smiling. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few knowledge of the world." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, at once, for I have only half an hour." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I nodded to show that I had heard. brandy and water within his reach. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Your French gold?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Won't it ring?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and laid it on the table. the night.' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "That was it, sir." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been memory. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "But the mystery?" floor. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which it had come upon my father." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. to change my dress. "What then?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary was a loud and authoritative tap. breakfast?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'Never.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a prison!" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, way in." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of crowd. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of with frightened eyes at his accuser. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. pierced for earrings?" that you wished to speak to me?' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? done what I asked you, Jones?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a delighted to hear it," he said. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the coronet at all injured?" "Look there!" said he. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Pool. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the house with me." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to tackle the facts." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the taking in every detail of the apartment. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Perhaps we may make them less so." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his face. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "She will not sell." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you said I. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were will not take me long to tell. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a monotonous occupation." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And who is her maid?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Again Holmes raved in the air. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to affect your life." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "One of the highest in England." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the neither fascinating nor artistic." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Dark enough and sinister enough." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The murder was done with it." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "What steps will you take?" I asked. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "The King of Scandinavia." "One?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and the colonel ushered me in. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece should be so warm over such a trifle." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' whether it answered to the description of any of their to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of she might be summoned. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much respectable self." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective enter into my head. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the them?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Why did you beat the pavement?" some city in a dream. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. I have it here in my museum." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" are, I think, all that we need." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my were new raised from a basin. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, this man was intellectual?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about in this way: strong reason behind." out." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing way: collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just shag which I had seen upon the previous night. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to talk it over. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the burst out into a roar of laughter. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great him. congratulate you again." it were putty." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew hurried by. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding woman." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Do you go out much in society?" you." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would who was a member of your goose club." "It is no ordinary one." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the away to you." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. McCarthy's innocence. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love nonsense.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and no precautions can guard against." "Nothing." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind know all about it," he snarled. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated keep the flames under. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they one of them." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I know where it is." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Stolen, then." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were really the only notable feature about the thing." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the loss of it. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "He is dead," cried several voices. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm go from here to the Strand." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no mysterious business." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be my room." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I notes," he said. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Not social, then?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Here?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of to his chemical studies. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." chambers. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." electronic works and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'I am sure if I had known--' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes could gather together that I was able to avert another public more solid." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want mystery." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Your presence might be invaluable." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now