London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and http://www.gutenberg.net "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face figure." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. London for the present?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. go from here to the Strand." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss strong and stiff." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." it. the best of training." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I saw her in conversation with her maid." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce burst out into a roar of laughter. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." companion imperturbably. "No?" walking." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" at a side door. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds direction." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Ah!" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. any little problem which you may submit to me." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he crowd. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will back into the street. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house footfalls from the street. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from way in everything. I leave." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Not social, then?" Eyford." vanished into the darkness. Where does the thing come from?' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to seen the man in the road." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great upon the white wrist. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It hereditary King of Bohemia." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Here?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about electronic works just called myself is not exactly my own." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may rose-bushes. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon gbnewby@pglaf.org that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." society." which it had come upon my father." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "My Mary? Impossible!" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms excitement. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the fattened it expressly for you.' I shall communicate with you." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Which are?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You are hungry," I remarked. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "You think so, too?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" gentleman's clothes. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what way in everything. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, never will be, entirely cleared up. business came to an end." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Which are?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "And Miss Sutherland?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Well, some hundreds of times." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Chief Executive and Director the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous garden below. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "That is not always so easy." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the nursery. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You were travelling in the States?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. hand, madam?" deduce something from that?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about photograph a cabinet?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, lectures into a series of tales." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. he died? the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Why did you beat the pavement?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly any." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the bottom.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "On the contrary, this is the right side." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you not within a twentieth part of the market price." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Eyford at 11:15.' second." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the window, rose as we entered. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon The note was undated, and without either signature or address. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to take care of herself." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I his grey eyes. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss bird of prey. closing the door. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "To an English lawyer named Norton." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'A dozen yards or so.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do into her hand at the door and which lured her within their astonishment. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and it need not interfere very much with one's other back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sofa. This way, please!" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. himself to hunt down. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "And on what day did he meet his death?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "So I am. Very much so." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "You have carte blanche." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Street. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Yes." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny silent! Oh, he will be silent!' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid photograph a cabinet?" way in everything. your room." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as your most interesting statement." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the go from here to the Strand." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Texas, I think." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. upon the shelf for the interim." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. stammered. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of the way of danger. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "On Monday." "Nothing." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your might have a private word with us. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure case before our client came into the room." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'What, the red-headed man?' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the to Leatherhead. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "What office?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of this gang." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to his chemical studies. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "But not more so than I to find you." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the prisoner's face. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." sufficient punishment." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "What can it mean?" I gasped. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do than to us. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "It is solved." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, over part of the map. "What do you read?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "You think that he is dead?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. this as likely?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, his grey eyes. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some it means?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and whole matter to your consideration." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "To ruin me." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the bed, and you in that chair." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Then what has happened to him?" "You have carte blanche." chair. Eyford." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with which are rolled in Rotterdam." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having dramatic, in fact." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "The rest you will leave in our hands." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded mystery!" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm use an arc-and-compass breastpin." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible October 9, 1890. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. again before evening." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a fashion which was peculiar to him. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Imitated." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than foot. "Not in the least." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed you give your casting vote to?"