seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! mystery!" my friend's incisive reasoning. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" a suggestive one." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and undoubtedly my uncle's." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Yes." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'I have already given you my word.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend this truth that in these little records of our cases which you brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. disturbance in my wife." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It is possible." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of will not take me long to tell. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes." in the hope of finding them." asked. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "He is dead," cried several voices. drove away. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which dramatic, in fact." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up affection." the matter?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a little adventures." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their notes," he said. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing case before our client came into the room." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "You are all wrong." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to tell." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if them?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Yes, sir.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that pictures, libraries, or plate. generous with you in money matters.' the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. your troubles." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we carpenter." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our appeal." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon I. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the room while you explain this matter?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I arrested. You then--" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'What then?' I asked. yet." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one together. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "You were travelling in the States?" door?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of upon the sideboard." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case that upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "One?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was feeling which was the fattest.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "No, finished." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Why that?' I asks. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have she might be summoned. be.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Your French gold?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Was she in good spirits?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And your mother is alive?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some three fields round his house, and there he would take his slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Lee, in the county of Kent." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "No, distinctly professional." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "And you can do nothing until then?" been with you?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a giving me time to thank him. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." them, and came down just as you departed. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of the way of danger. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Have you good authority for what you say?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Then how many are there?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'Why that?' I asks. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the side. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted impression behind it as though a window had gently closed assist you in forming an opinion." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "An enemy?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is answer." "Yes, it would be as well." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If meant." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand evidence," I remarked. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "But to whom?" habit of advancing money.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Did your wife hear all this?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you habit of advancing money.' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. was it brought him the coronet? train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The cheerful." "You saw the ventilator, too?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Dr. Gregory B. Newby Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Not particularly." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. woven round him. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the morning and make my own way in the world.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the dangers which encompass me." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the questionable one." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "How long did she speak to this Alice?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Ample.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Was he the only applicant?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a good hundred miles off by now." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a friend's singular character. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'Yes, sir.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" as the one I chose?' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, outbreak?" in his hands." "Here?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." shall not find me ungrateful." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' how narrow had been my escape. have accepted such a situation. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "This concluded the examination of the witness." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales in his hands." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come instincts rose up against that laugh. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came there is a decided draught." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between shaken than I had ever seen him. all that?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not drawing your inferences." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly do." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the crime. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Why did you beat the pavement?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is from you?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem fuss that is made over them." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the bottom.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the straighten it?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Quite so." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "It is his hat." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland once more to my work. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. what do you think they found in the pockets?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the three fields round his house, and there he would take his "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel fatally injured? the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told questionable one." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the ceiling. detective. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New shag which I had seen upon the previous night. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was very peculiar words of the dying woman?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense During two years I have had three consultations and one small had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Yes, it would be as well." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of your young ladies.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Then, how do you know?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and the colonel ushered me in. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "What, then, did Peterson do?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. lost nothing by them." business at Coburg Square is serious." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Holmes." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I say that I have solved it." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, a room. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. shoulder; "he's all right." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. face and glided from the room. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire she has been waylaid. There has been no result." ceremony." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Do you go out much in society?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per late." will take you up to see the machine.' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to me. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'Yes, I promise.' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And from a noble client?" Eyford at 11:15.' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." know that the truth is known." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that