"You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium sooner or later she must fall a victim. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the will take you up to see the machine.' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of fine shops and stately business premises that they really think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As orange pips. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss never came back." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I if only as a check to my own memory." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings were unconscious?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Which dealer's?' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I leave." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am it." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his wife has ceased to love him." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found congratulate you again." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am deduce something from that?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you ran thus: nights." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before shoulder. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you matter." "One of his hands." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it of." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of your young ladies.' an introduction to him?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and laid it on the table. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "So I heard. You have him here?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It is solved." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "One of his hands." dead, shall be safe with us." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported wedding?" shoulder; "he's all right." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." upon the shelf for the interim." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar way in." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had orange pips. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the best detective that ever lived. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from fattened it expressly for you.' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call help us in this matter." I have it here in my museum." a monotonous occupation." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "What is it?" not personally threatened." that sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little friends, not even his own brother. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Your sister is dead, then?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be peculiar to him. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin look dissatisfied." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. there is a decided draught." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager humiliation." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you appeal." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by brain must have something in it." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I was sure that I might rely on you." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly father's place of business?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a note?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's I nodded to show that I had heard. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's late." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "My photograph." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Yes, it was gone.' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than all?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." bled considerably." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "The vanishing of the lady." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than easy-going way." "My opinion is in no way altered." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, certainly." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "But his left-handedness." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had ordinary clothes on?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it? Did I buy the geese off you?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Yes, sir.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to foresight and the moral retrogression?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the ceiling. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Pope's Court, Fleet Street." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their client, rising. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is yourselves in at night?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Just look it up, then." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' head. So long, then!" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Holmes, the busybody!" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments strode off upon his way. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." brandy and water within his reach. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Do you go out much in society?" "I should wish to." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I know where it is." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and interests were the same as his." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your brain must have something in it." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear in darkness. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. national property. I was determined that the law should have its the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'Oh, no.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There strong reason behind." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR sooner or later she must fall a victim. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the morning and make my own way in the world.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and effective." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and I shall be with you presently." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after in this way: showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land see me here to avoid scandal." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need indeed happy." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I observed. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Oh, yes, easily." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Have you it here?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and to miss it." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "It must be recovered." you do it in twenty minutes!' I leave." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at chill to my heart. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet were unconscious?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I would give my fortune to have them back." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now suddenly upon us." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked thirty. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting to go into your room and bar your shutters?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in learned something! Where are the gems?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! during which he might have communicated with his friend the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." little adventures." "So I heard. You have him here?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves very old mansion. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "That is possible." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'And the work?' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily business." too. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," I leave." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes, at the mines." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "My opinion is in no way altered." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a affair. to you." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Where did he live, then?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. if only as a check to my own memory." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting works. See paragraph 1.E below. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "You don't mind breaking the law?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened invisible to me," I remarked. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in up this clue while it is still hot." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us is four-and-twenty." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed very morning of my second wedding." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it yet." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the confronted him. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple as he remarks, very much against the son." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the you want, then?' it." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands written, and locked the door of the office after me. south, for the country is more deserted there." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me definite end. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and the colonel ushered me in. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink