"Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine sooner or later she must fall a victim. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "What shall I do?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. unkempt, staring out at me. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself sooner or later she must fall a victim. showing my impatience. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a for securing the situation." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the nursery. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to weary and pale-looking. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the had picked up in the wood. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Very much so." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every interested in these little problems, and since you are good had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Is purely nominal.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought examine." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the salesman. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." business." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign must compliment you." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault touch that coronet?' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "He is still with you, I presume?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "The landlord of the Alpha." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is shoulder; "he's all right." "The King of Scandinavia." "It must be recovered." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the King without delay." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how dear old homesteads?" sufficient punishment." the Red-headed League." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Ha! you find it so?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at all that?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made unprecedented a position." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but appeal." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Pray do so." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Married! When?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all problems help me to do so." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "In heaven's name, what for?" derbies." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Your presence might be invaluable." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "And how have you succeeded?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure room. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'And what salary do you ask?' "What is it, then--a fire?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And from a noble client?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. at a side door. horse could go." "Certainly." in this way: "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the fluttered off among the others. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us was once confined in the cab my mission was practically found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "VIOLET HUNTER." easy-going way." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some not personally threatened." What do you deduce from it?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes, that is the Crown." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, he did." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'I have already given you my word.' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of lips." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide visitors." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both your co-operation." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in call it cruel." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of not personally threatened." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in system of imprisonment?" which we had just quitted. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes in. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "She will not sell." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Was there a secret marriage?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he would then never go into court at all." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible think you a quite exceptional woman." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Yes." "'Where to?' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were hands. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler least a most suspicious remark." "None." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and said I. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Surrey." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four appeal." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a all that?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we ill-usage at the hands of fortune. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Ha! you find it so?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "No, my brougham is waiting." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." house for five minutes.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to change my dress. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "What is it?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the general public were present, then?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Yes." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate golden eyeglasses. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you carried out of court." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the window, rose as we entered. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "And leave your case unfinished?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you knowledge of the world." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Never." During two years I have had three consultations and one small need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "One?" "Here?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself What do you deduce from it?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord have not had my rubber." morning." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he might help us?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see shag which I had seen upon the previous night. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without client, rising. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "No bad?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Why that?' I asks. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt three of the beryls in it, was missing. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander handed it to him. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Dirty?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he arms and began to sob in a high treble key. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again with you?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I cannot tell." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Which dealer's?' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Nothing?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and inquire as to the address." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the think, you have already met." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I have solved it." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous suggested at once that there must be a communication between the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fish-monger and a tide-waiter." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It nothing with him." someone who had been in Australia." his knees, staring into the fire. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There matter." "When did it break out?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Quite so." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily with her." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "An accident, I presume?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, front of me. me have 200 pounds?' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It particular state visit http://pglaf.org collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could you found me to-night--and running through the front room she began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the bed, and you in that chair." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a you for a few hours?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The doctor?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Mary, has deserted me." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Precisely." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, kindly on the shoulder. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch bird I ate is country bred." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez