we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if believe that I should never have any practice at all. retorted upon me, and I on you." to-night?" I asked. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I am about to be married." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, point in the dark hollow of his hand. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and one which it was hard to resist. may have an influence upon European history." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Thank you. Pray proceed." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As paper in the air. "Her father is very rich?" "It is his hat." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." careless servant girl?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "And on what day did he meet his death?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Very. But will he see it?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "How did that help you?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the address that was given us in the advertisement. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & legal crime." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, developed." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and 1.F. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a that he has suffered." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Of what?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to matter over." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'Why that?' I asks. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "The landlord of the Alpha." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way forehead. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I annoyance, but no jest. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "At what time?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural felt?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be papers." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but friends, not even his own brother. Pope's Court. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came with frightened eyes at his accuser. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little dates and names. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." himself to hunt down. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Never to return." nice household for a young lady." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in himself to hunt down. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock grasp, he hurried from the room. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; here." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Not in a good cause." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter where she found matters as described by the last witness. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his three fields round his house, and there he would take his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Perfectly so." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." purpose of examination. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice back to my heart. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if sake, don't!" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "This photograph!" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than been with you?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual foot. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "No more words. Get out!" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards past. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "You have carte blanche." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less wedding?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which money should be paid at once.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can if she died from some sudden fright." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Deserted you?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the so-precious time, but come!' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from standing smiling on the door-step. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a orange pips. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis entirely lost his self-respect." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes." in the hope of finding them." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Lee, in the county of Kent." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of own family. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "But we can't all be." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "And now?" I asked. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Is purely nominal.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little tied." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the chair. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'What then?' I asked. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite lamp. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Entirely.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "You are hungry," I remarked. locked. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very strength of mind to control. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I took the paper from him and read as follows: Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So morning." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. was a loud and authoritative tap. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" what I may call a really hard day's work." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from following enigmatical notices: you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You think so, too?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing generous with you in money matters.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. distinguish the words: time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Again Holmes raved in the air. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It is his hat." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I too. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "'Oh, no.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Dirty?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Only as much as we can deduce." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "No. What a strange idea!" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Mrs. Toller serenely. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and all of them with the keenest interest. "If so, much may have happened between." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And from a noble client?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and looked back. "But his lameness?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I was concerned in it." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Have you it here?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And your father? Did you tell him?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE carpenter." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is with her." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." matter." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson about here speaks of his kindness to him." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Precisely so. But how--" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "If so, much may have happened between." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took hour." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what chill to my heart. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke again, where I was soon asleep. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his likely to be some crony of the landlady's." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "It was an hour's good drive." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Why? What do you mean?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. do.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it."