gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who constraint." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not works. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of late." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot and that he would see to anything that turned up. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a is so. I know all about McCarthy." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "He said that you could solve anything." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to hand, madam?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. straighten it?" he died? and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." your own bird, so if you wish--" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and very morning of my second wedding." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': anything to do with the matter?" horse could go." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever meant." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I assure you that I am in your hands." "And for present expenses?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" you." girl said." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but at a side door. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Ah!" some city in a dream. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as into the room. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** orange pips. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "You did not overhear what they said?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her her also." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing man. I know him from the photograph." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the posted to-day." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "The knees of his trousers." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "None." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been which our visitor detailed to us. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Come in!" said Holmes. "What will you do, then?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "My private note-paper." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of fact, we may call it conclusive." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two manager. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "We have tried and failed." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you disappearance of these gems?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Not particularly." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." detective. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I felt?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hurried away. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's fuss that is made over them." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they some water from a caraffe. "Thank you. Pray proceed." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "No legal papers or certificates?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the society." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And Miss Sutherland?" "Where, indeed?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the flock.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "In heaven's name, what for?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up skylight. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance seem to you to be relevant or not." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the child." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see be.' "He said that you could solve anything." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Where, then, is my wife?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." go from here to the Strand." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But what harm can there be in that?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger appeal." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that without a word or a look. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Dr. Becher's." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to me." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "None. Neville wrote those words." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'No, I know no one in these parts.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "What can you not understand?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not giving me time to thank him. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank been able to understand it, in a very few words. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, skylight. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so name is different." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. few hundred pounds.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable with frightened eyes at his accuser. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the fatally injured? place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "She will not sell." with you alone." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of this gang." carriage. It was a chestnut." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the charged with?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Gutenberg-tm License. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. habit of advancing money.' "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." as the one I chose?' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as very morning of my second wedding." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Did he not advertise?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "You have the photograph?" chamber." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed three of the beryls in it, was missing. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew recover the gem." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Is 4 pounds a week.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks himself in a perplexing position. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." father's young wife. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes future lives." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest it." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each been with you?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "You don't mind breaking the law?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." indeed happy." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the loss of it. redistribution. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Were they all fastened this morning?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect how narrow had been my escape. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of meant it for the best. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce companion. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, writers could invent nothing more crude." "The knees of his trousers." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing October 9, 1890. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical populous neighbourhood." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" careless servant girl?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" several quiet little villages up there." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had instituted." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my it." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported in this note: any." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which ordinary clothes on?" "If so, much may have happened between." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Where, then, is my wife?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "But how?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Yes." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed events, Mr. Windibank!" third from London." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I see many objections to any such theory." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. emerged. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "So I have heard." to change my dress. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I with you alone." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before