my secret was safe in his possession. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, from the brougham. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered unprecedented a position." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. The events in question occurred in the early days of my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." IS "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far a little more before I quite committed myself. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "You have a clue?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "What have you to say now?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Has he come with you to-night?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, business came to an end." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Whose house is it?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that meant it for the best. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "What of the rat, then?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party before, for it was considerably after midnight. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it trying to your nerves." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I shall communicate with you." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the armchair which I pushed forward for him. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Certainly." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become good for you to do.' see me here to avoid scandal." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the held up the lantern and gazed about him. true." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was morning." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California within hail.' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this hopeless attempt at recovering them." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of second." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "ARAT," I read. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. to have been novel and of interest." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever important." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story that threaten you." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an matters immensely." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are redistribution. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'I am sure that I do not know.' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in prisoner's face. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. gone. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "One?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Oh, fresh and glossy." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "How did you deduce the select?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Game for a morning drive?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you before the coroner and the police-court." "Not social, then?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in the hope of finding them." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'How far from the body?' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This about here speaks of his kindness to him." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is it." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming fishes. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. outbreak?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "It is very clear." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "But she will refuse." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and way in." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I over with notes and figures. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" man. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger cigars in the box." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon in the port of London." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the tragedy. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'And what salary do you ask?' have got?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second business." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell sofa. This way, please!" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly papers must be those that are destroyed.' fire. You quite follow me?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is name is different." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. bell. Holmes whistled. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." you do it in twenty minutes!' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'In my own bureau.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to present." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low copied or distributed: the warnings." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban straightened it out again. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is said I. "Not particularly." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. off." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. http://www.gutenberg.net at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "On your arm?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which or other trace. But how on earth--" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the generous with you in money matters.' for the market.' what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "How can you tell that?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'In my own bureau.' stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does over here." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young said Mr. Holder. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons writing, and yet I know it well." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you be best to do. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope and wait." in his power. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we to you." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may his knees, staring into the fire. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if yet." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Ten will be early enough." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts woman." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was quick march!" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do mysterious business." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "On your arm?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon it? Did I buy the geese off you?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Edgeware Road. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net in him." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with with the outside air!" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your to-morrow." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Yes." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, could not have written that. It is the German who is so Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious point in the dark hollow of his hand. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I him." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his swore that no one else had been in the front room during the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My photograph?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and glanced through. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Won't it ring?" empty. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Always." sooner or later she must fall a victim. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, nothing of it?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and inquire as to the address." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And how did he make his money?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and the whole place is in a blaze." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of this as likely?" "VIOLET HUNTER." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Then, as to money?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great What do you deduce from it?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "And how?" him. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able bill, which interests me deeply." was it brought him the coronet? saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may she might be summoned. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of used to be." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Mary, has deserted me." "The doctor?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the October 9, 1890. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client that, and I came down." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. figure." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room,