which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other attention." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew shoulder. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss most important business. It is probable that he will be away all voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I should like to see him very much." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite said I. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "How often?" signal between you and your father? "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours attention." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was felt?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am writer." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Did you become engaged then?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is manager. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let minor matters until to-morrow." eavesdroppers?' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "But what is it you wish?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'You cannot say what it was?' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in to arrive at through this?" "And how did he make his money?" said I. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Street. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in opened a pocket-book and took out a note. digesting their breakfasts at home." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the running down." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "No, finished." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Dark enough and sinister enough." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Get out!" said he. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Cross for the Continent." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "A confidential servant?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." from the brougham. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "What! Had he lost his wife?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I will do it." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being and the church but not where the lady lived." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off distance from the station, and there we found the young lady inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Frequently." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, place of silver." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and no precautions can guard against." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little it." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself page at http://pglaf.org must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you success. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." suddenly upon us." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "What do you mean?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to affection." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle take the flies, but not before." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they quick march!" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'And what salary do you ask?' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and child?' Leadenhall Street--and--" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Edgeware Road. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low despair." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Why did you pick him?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady pity, because in other respects you would really have done very possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place room?" "The landlord of the Alpha." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "None." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "On Monday." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed lamp. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to your equipment. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and new duties?' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to miles off. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Get out!" said he. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. comes from the middle window." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "If so, much may have happened between." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Where does the thing come from?' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "What is it, then--a fire?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew suddenly upon us." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Yes, he did." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I arrangements." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an amused." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before throat." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Nothing." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat business." "'As governess?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as forbidden door. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'Oh, no.' woman." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is go from here to the Strand." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "What shall I do?" "When did she vanish, then?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "An enemy?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Where, indeed?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of whatever might befall. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I have hopes." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point The King stared at him in amazement. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' indeed which he could not unravel. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Yes, I have one waiting." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master individual and becomes the badge of a society." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you character. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "And your father? Did you tell him?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of mystery may be cleared along those lines." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "But what will you do?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a seem to you to be relevant or not." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly charge against him will break down." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but a room. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, you?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "On Monday." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could was shining brightly. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Witness: I must still refuse. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I here." wedding?" leave you to your papers for a little." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has weary and pale-looking. you want, then?' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "A call for help, you thought?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "On Monday." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present constraint." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But you can know nothing of this?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Is purely nominal.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. telegram would bring me down to your help." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We that you saw all that I did." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Oh, yes, easily." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I was shining brightly. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he stalked out of the room. the matter?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' dramatic, in fact." meant." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. a little more before I quite committed myself. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "And you don't know his address?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Your French gold?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and My friend smiled. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." gbnewby@pglaf.org light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the helping a boy to put up the shutters. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Breckinridge is his name." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon nothing of it?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow better grown goose." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and fat-encircled eyes. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "And leave your case unfinished?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can my special province."