save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "In what way?" asked Holmes. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the window, rose as we entered. records." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner cigar and let me expound." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Deserted you?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not galvanised. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" whatever might befall. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and so.' very old mansion. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt instituted." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" made him keep the appointment." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "This photograph!" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project man. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and that he has suffered." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." digesting their breakfasts at home." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander entirely devoid of interest." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No sign of it?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for way: As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Then you may be so with me." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I am sure." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "To the police?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in tied." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And other lovers by making love himself." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Where, then?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Why? What do you mean?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, chance at all." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was a perfect sample of the class. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Tired-looking or fresh?" locked. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, burst out into a roar of laughter. through." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I think that it is very probable." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and the church but not where the lady lived." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will was the fact that his father should, according to his account, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" His smile broadened. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to if only as a check to my own memory." "Pray continue your narrative." "And what then?" business?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the only touch the interest." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Well?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have in the dead of the night?' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was tell him that I know him to be innocent." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Yes, he did." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Why that?' I asks. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Why did you pick him?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced for and were ordered to this address. should be so warm over such a trifle." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But your client--" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other man. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Yes." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being throat." second." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the crowd. the King without delay." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed crime." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "But his lameness?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. this as likely?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the someone who had been in Australia." "What?" "Yes, sir." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a through." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "But he might be a bachelor." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort used to be." Sutherland. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to cause to be." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "And it is--" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who article?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated writing, and yet I know it well." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Oh, the cause is excellent!" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It narrative." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "No, thank goodness, she did not." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "By no means." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Lestrade of Scotland Yard." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper everything which you would wish to know." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "No, my brougham is waiting." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Yes." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the way in." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the really the only notable feature about the thing." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time looking up at the numbers of the houses." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest chambers. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Well, it is a possible supposition." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin and your relations to her." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I promise," said Holmes. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, for and were ordered to this address. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the them present such singular features as the strange train of "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I will be renamed. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that would apply.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Where is it, then?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Have you her photograph?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." him to be an active member of the medical profession." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the child." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We which it had come upon my father." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life bachelor.' affection." "'Oh, no.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in This is what he says: "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" out." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Her father is very rich?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the rooms." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only could not have written that. It is the German who is so like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was upon the shelf for the interim." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and What do you deduce from it?" suddenly upon us." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into swore that no one else had been in the front room during the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was already answered. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand standing smiling on the door-step. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This not personally threatened." "They are typewritten," I remarked. of it with the greatest attention. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your green of the new foliage. It may be so in this case, also." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do The summons was a brief and urgent one. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Mary, has deserted me." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been husband's writing, madam." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right happened." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are help us in this matter." train.' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under now. It seems that there had been some informality about their she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at must compliment you." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon keep the flames under. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, once more for Briony Lodge. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. outbreak?" "Then I can wait in the next room." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, memory. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that because she had spent so short a time in this country that she were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the problems help me to do so." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I true." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Could he throw no light?" acted in my house last night?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of himself in a perplexing position. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have never will be, entirely cleared up. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty was it brought him the coronet? acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I have seen the police." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." him to be an active member of the medical profession." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the coroner come to?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "He said that you could solve anything." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "But to whom?" both be extremely obliged.' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I promise," said Holmes. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Is he quiet?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better like gravel from a pit.' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, excitement. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an you understand?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Holmes rather sternly. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her public press." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that room. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Precisely." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Here?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his again, where I was soon asleep. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that