"'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, at a side door. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter round and wave him away like that.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its notes," he said. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and McCarthy." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No been with you?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves more terrible than the truth. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his woman." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to tackle the facts." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital lamp. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The murder was done with it." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank then?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "And it is--" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Street. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached been deceived." wanted for ourselves." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to noting anything else of interest. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. been." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "What will you do, then?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client good for you to do.' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, way: "Thank you. And your address?" read it out to me." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she seen the man in the road." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." as he remarks, very much against the son." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled direction." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling been with you?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute recover the gem." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." it. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of brandy and water within his reach. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Nothing?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I green of the new foliage. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), again before evening." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I see no marks." exactly what you advise." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me crime." "It is very kind of you." might have a private word with us. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more said he at last. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as said he at last. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Yes, sir.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," tied." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the little opening for the ventilator is." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through in your London, you will know that the office of the company is my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a note?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by means taking possession of that which another person has a prior all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "My own seal." the station." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he at home. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Will you bet, then?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of neither fascinating nor artistic." "Yes, I have one waiting." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I was afraid that you were engaged." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of been shamefully used." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come me upon any point which I do not make clear." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out looking up at the numbers of the houses." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "What have you done?" asked Holmes. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "And what did you learn from him?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment felt?" "Breckinridge is his name." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make relief. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the I. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature McCarthy's innocence. the child." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'About the same.' was lame." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were to go into your room and bar your shutters?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and be. "Pray do so." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United you do it in twenty minutes!' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "It is very clear." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It goes to the housekeeper's room." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some he bowed and left the room without another word. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as been anything against him. He had for years been known as a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You have it, sir, just as it happened." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit you." be. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich long narrative. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Very. But will he see it?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Was the window open?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the locked." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he DISSOLVED. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper bird I ate is country bred." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing brandy and water within his reach. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we in the hope of finding them." said he. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Precisely." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking fasten all the windows?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Thank you. And your address?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Quite sure, dad.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which spare." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, we went to search for him, face downward in a little answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "And your father? Did you tell him?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the yards of it?' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" fashion which was peculiar to him. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded in one or two places in England?' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for long narrative. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to in him." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "No, finished." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his leave you to your papers for a little." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it people in all walks of life. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the of his shoulders. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Yes." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more that he has suffered." "Why did you pick him?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "My private note-paper." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell wall." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The Coroner: What do you mean? reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Texas, I think." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net nothing of it?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say bell. Holmes whistled. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "On your arm?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "To an English lawyer named Norton." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "And now?" I asked. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My now. It seems that there had been some informality about their always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her in darkness. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Again Holmes raved in the air. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of question," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of letters?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to thought that she would have been so carried away." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." business." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I say that I have solved it." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. this unhappy family?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "In the cells." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "In which, sir?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Yes, sir.' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, indiscretion." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." everything which you would wish to know." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up."