mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two which I could not give. He asked for Alice. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my papers diligently of late, have you not?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "That is not always so easy." "Nothing." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows held up the lantern and gazed about him. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in there is a decided draught." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of flock.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Then, how do you know?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I was sure that I might rely on you." "And Miss Sutherland?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" trying to your nerves." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Now, then, what's the last entry?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Holmes' room. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only union?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I will try. What is it?" Countess of Morcar's?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me kind enough to tell me what I should do." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able where she found matters as described by the last witness. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Game for a morning drive?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad appeal." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'I am sure if I had known--' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "And for present expenses?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "And help." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "You horrify me." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew you give your casting vote to?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his will take you up to see the machine.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant time." key of the affair now." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is his face which made him a very different person to the round, Literary Archive Foundation servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Eh? What was that?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." cigar and let me expound." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "10th. John Swain cleared. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the matter." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help him!" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the have one." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, strength of mind to control. details." "Pray do so." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." keep the flames under. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any hair?' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old footfalls from the street. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "And how?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I never have." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from points to suicide?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped ill-usage at the hands of fortune. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Holmes' room. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon this as likely?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless could not have written that. It is the German who is so "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Yes, sir.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." "But not more so than I to find you." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the loss of it. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "No more words. Get out!" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and chamber." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "One of his hands." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for have got?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Nothing." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I say it is." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room memory. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." that threaten you." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a up this clue while it is still hot." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Clair, of Lee." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "But it has twice been burgled." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Farm upon the left." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do quick march!" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just photograph a cabinet?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap seem to you to be relevant or not." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the bed, and you in that chair." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; third from London." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since third from London." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We gone. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate there is a decided draught." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided next day. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am pictures, libraries, or plate. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and wanted for ourselves." you in yours." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Nearly eleven." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. bird I ate is country bred." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his companion. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "How did he come?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the her also." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin delirious. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never use an arc-and-compass breastpin." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And how?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'I am sure that I do not know.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." taking in every detail of the apartment. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "It is half-past ten now." "She showed me, as I told you she would." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever bed dies. Does not that strike you?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had carriage. It was a chestnut." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in kindly on the shoulder. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley appeal." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness know all about it," he snarled. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in visitors." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email other, as fresh and trim as possible. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do morning." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the matter?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "That is unusual in a young girl." to tackle the facts." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and that he would see to anything that turned up. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Entirely." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Doctor, of the paper and the date." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with must be when I saw the door open.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Where to?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, or other trace. But how on earth--" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and nothing of it?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "And what then?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Ample.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Is 4 pounds a week.' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. had formerly been in part my own. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this once more. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Did he not advertise?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from