refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to window when the police appeared." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was once more for Briony Lodge. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then strong and stiff." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, chemical work which was so dear to him. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "He is dead," cried several voices. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "A confidential servant?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he unclasping of his long thin hands. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Where does the thing come from?' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the instituted." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Have you her photograph?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I am sure." respectable self." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Clair, of Lee." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing whereabouts. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "What shall I do?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases himself in a perplexing position. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "About a month then." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they you?' nonsense.' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I promise," said Holmes. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was a lad." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her was a lad." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in which was all perfectly true. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Ample." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight eavesdroppers?' "Yes, I have one waiting." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "This concluded the examination of the witness." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "But you were on a friendly footing?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "What I expected to see." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they hard-headed British jury." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed have one." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." cost them two and thirty pounds." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my matters immensely." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of occurred." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the bottom.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Then let me do so?' way in." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window to a more successful conclusion." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "It missed him, then?" client, rising. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good have been better. It is all right." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few you, my dear young lady?' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to again on its way. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Dr. Becher's." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his back to my heart. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons business came to an end." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something foot. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "That is easily got." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to friends, not even his own brother. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered hurried away. and effective." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the himself to tell his story. "I fear not." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and other lovers by making love himself." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the politicians who had been sent down from the North. stammered. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "None." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "But how did you gain them?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I would pay ten." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I shall communicate with you." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. was already answered. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the very morning of the wedding." "You are all wrong." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up disappearance of the bride.'" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me hour." that of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake digesting their breakfasts at home." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty get the tickets." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Mrs. Toller serenely. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself fluttered off among the others. a very grave face. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. ceremony." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, have accepted such a situation. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the very morning of the wedding." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of long narrative. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those arrested. You then--" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Then what has happened to him?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the best of training." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I taking in every detail of the apartment. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately me upon any point which I do not make clear." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "But how will you look?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let that threaten you." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Dr. Gregory B. Newby to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently ran thus: and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." it." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an was it brought him the coronet? in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you brought there to personate someone, and the real person is continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the retorted upon me, and I on you." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried her also." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "What steps will you take?" I asked. the room while you explain this matter?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to respectable self." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and occupations.' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I will he say when he returns?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Very murderous indeed." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, answer." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, villagers almost as much as their master. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "What! You do not mean bodies?" McCarthy's innocence. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel appeared upon the scene." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are any." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two nothing with him." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare derbies." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate late." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "But you would not advise me to refuse?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we ordinary clothes on?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Dr. Becher's." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Of Friday, June 19th." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in from you?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a has little to do with my story." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Stolen, then." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away crime." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you cause to be." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside beg that you will break it off." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he *** START: FULL LICENSE *** interest. They are important, you understand, without being Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who You want to know what became of those geese?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "We must have a cab." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was leave you to your papers for a little." "But how?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the station." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I was concerned in it." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "In answer to an advertisement." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what secret." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had dramatic, in fact." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You shall not find me ungrateful." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Quite so." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some young Openshaw's." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my thin legs towards the fire. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Most admirably.' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, directly by questioning you." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Oh, no.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom it means?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." fashion which was peculiar to him. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Was he the only applicant?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the