his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I sneer upon his pale face. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Was there a secret marriage?" matter." nights." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." I approached. help us in this matter." woven round him. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you that you saw all that I did." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "How on earth--" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and back into the street. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always be sorry for having acted so harshly." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the window, rose as we entered. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Young McCarthy must be got off, however." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. McCarthy." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Holmes, the busybody!" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as are, I think, all that we need." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and purpose of examination. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had in the hope of finding them." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now have had none more fantastic than this." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how o'clock is it?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it done what I asked you, Jones?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together note?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were golden eyeglasses. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only business." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a south, for the country is more deserted there." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And leave your case unfinished?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Won't it ring?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw once more for Briony Lodge. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And how?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "When did she vanish, then?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I am still in the dark." of the vacancies.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "And what did you see?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to papers diligently of late, have you not?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his spare." License. You must require such a user to return or "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come chance at all." do.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "And the murderer?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass that I may have something better before very many minutes are woven round him. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining completely overtopped every other consideration that we both all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the nursery. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Where is it, then?" beg that you will break it off." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "And for present expenses?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here it right.' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was learned something! Where are the gems?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the discontent upon his features. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You locked. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I held the little printed slip to the light. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it beg that you will break it off." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "This concluded the examination of the witness." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "My dear Holmes!" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his annoyance, but no jest. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an call it cruel." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly a monotonous occupation." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." used to be." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few fluttered off among the others. as yours." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'And the work?' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Here?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "But what is it you wish?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll himself. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a a monotonous occupation." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Tired-looking or fresh?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Not particularly." see me here to avoid scandal." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil hand, madam?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I vault. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in my friend's incisive reasoning. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And you don't know his address?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the unkempt, staring out at me. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" introspective fashion. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the morning and make my own way in the world.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." that he has suffered." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. good-night and bustled off upon her way. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock following enigmatical notices: has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "To the police?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was here." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." been." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "And you thought he was pulled back?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "None." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to shoulder. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Not in a good cause." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Yes, sir.' tension within him. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and no precautions can guard against." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might bird of prey. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be help us in this matter." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "On Monday." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a several quiet little villages up there." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Oh, yes, easily." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent hands. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Yes, sir." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "And from a noble client?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the tragedy. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his emerged. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, outsides of the windows. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I to-night." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced in the hope of finding them." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid posted to-day." the Assizes." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of receipt of the work. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It's nothing of the kind." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Why did you pick him?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the general public were present, then?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "By all means." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the better grown goose." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "An accident, I presume?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of all that?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I retorted upon me, and I on you." "'There is a drive, then?' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Ah, but I was recommended to you." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "But what harm can there be in that?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "That also I could fathom." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can or other trace. But how on earth--" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "ARAT," I read. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "In heaven's name, what for?" "Yes." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no forehead. round with crates and massive boxes. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it like gravel from a pit.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of