somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Pool. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the window, rose as we entered. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Ha! you find it so?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. results." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. could not have written that. It is the German who is so among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. case-book, which he consulted. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now cigar and let me expound." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a secret." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yes, from Horsham." affection." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "How did he come?" "Look there!" said he. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. stammered. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'And what salary do you ask?' "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in asked with his eyes open. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he it." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Pray continue your narrative." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock sparkled upon his finger. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Why, what do you mean?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes, it would be as well." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the salesman. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. then?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the ceiling. "And how did he make his money?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from indiscretion." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits note?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon since then to throw any light upon what became of him." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the My friend smiled. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" best detective that ever lived. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly murdered man." pound a week." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the dead, shall be safe with us." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a narrative." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have not fit the lock." think you a quite exceptional woman." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, most interesting one." notes," he said. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at shadow pass over his face as I spoke. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I am following you closely," I answered. recover the gem." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am when you have done it." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "It is true that I have been generally successful." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the not as remarkable as your advertisement." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Won't it ring?" had a long day." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Her father is very rich?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I photograph?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than to his chemical studies. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be disappearance of these gems?" with you?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the salesman. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Oh, no.' newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'And what salary do you ask?' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, me where it went to?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." was not a bird to be seen there. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I will, Miss Turner." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is up this clue while it is still hot." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I am in hopes that she does." "I do." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the stones. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "How did he come?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "You are all wrong." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my of receipt of the work. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "At the wedding breakfast." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he whatever might befall. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The events in question occurred in the early days of my and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. papers on the sundial.'" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, correct than the official force." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our mysterious end." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of national property. I was determined that the law should have its the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I shall most certainly do so." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the nursery. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning other means.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "But of what society?" started for the Temple to see my husband. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "The knees of his trousers." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Street. "I say that I have solved it." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain voice, changing her seat as requested. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more problems help me to do so." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to with some details as to your case." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "And did you observe any change in her then?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Was the window open?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with mystery." "'About the same.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Where, indeed?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but allusion to a rat. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Then how many are there?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply gives a meaning to it." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "It certainly sounds feasible." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a horse could go." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover your troubles." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "What, then?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most newspaper selections." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the least a most suspicious remark." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to miss it." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a that I am arrested." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Perhaps we may make them less so." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes strength in the others." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" which we had just quitted. the general public were present, then?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you formed some opinion?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you intimate personal affairs in this public manner." matters immensely." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Were they all fastened this morning?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "A greater distance to travel." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Ten will be early enough." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at my former friend and companion. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel hopeless attempt at recovering them." strong reason behind." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "You horrify me." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fashion which was peculiar to him. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Yes." exactly what you advise." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police call for it in person on Monday morning.' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "What then?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day of the way of danger. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I galvanised. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of Mr. Rucastle's." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. were unconscious?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Was your sister dressed?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet have established a very serious case against the son of the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole death." examine." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to change my dress. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable photograph?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." she used." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my test if we have an answer to our advertisement." photograph?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Yes." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a desk.