endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a For additional contact information: him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening fuss that is made over them." "Bought." should be so warm over such a trifle." "9th. McCauley cleared. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "What! You do not mean bodies?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon get the tickets." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Entirely." "He is still with you, I presume?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to have that photograph." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to it means?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." mysterious end." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely you?' eavesdroppers?' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you that he has suffered." "It is half-past ten now." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Holmes rather sternly. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope been lifted and conveyed somewhere." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of some terrible trap for her." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building McCarthy's innocence. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a companion quietly. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so business matters.' have I gained?" the bed, and you in that chair." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the our word." "'Never.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he visitors." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the salesman. "I cannot tell." "'I am sure that I do not know.' is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, felt?" "You horrify me!" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I am sure." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I coroner's jury." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw colonel looking down at me. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door it. of the way of danger. begun to whiten, even as mine has." knowledge of the world." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "You have compromised yourself seriously." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into young Openshaw's." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the furiously. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "And from a noble client?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "And leave your case unfinished?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen morning." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Lestrade of Scotland Yard." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "It missed him, then?" system of imprisonment?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I kindly on the shoulder. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "It is very kind of you." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face directors have had misgivings upon the subject." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" unprecedented a position." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was to take care of herself." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the room while you explain this matter?" to tell." purpose equally well?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as situation." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a most interesting one." records." look dissatisfied." of it with the greatest attention. might have a private word with us. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "How about poison?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, knowledge of the world." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts enter Dr. Roylott's room." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you reach." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "They are typewritten," I remarked. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the station." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each morning." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to dates and names. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Stolen, then." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." posted to-day." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of most interesting one." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your outbreak?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable weapon." "To ruin me." bell. Holmes whistled. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** brought there to personate someone, and the real person is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a woven round him. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to me. You must get home instantly and act." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other union?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "It must be recovered." "What of the rat, then?" grasp, he hurried from the room. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which minor matters until to-morrow." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I read over the extraordinary announcement. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another sneer upon his pale face. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Yes, only one." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "We must have a cab." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Yes, from Horsham." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling dramatic, in fact." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His this Miss Turner." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, furiously. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as burst into a hearty fit of laughter. him, that man would not have given me such complete information overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "And it is--" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "No more words. Get out!" "Ah!" me have 200 pounds?' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper gone. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My His smile broadened. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the general public were present, then?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "How often?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business IS his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which there when the Rucastles went away." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." it were putty." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I am to be neutral?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be undoubtedly my uncle's." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Nothing?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and upon the sideboard." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called families. Now for the facts. "I say that I have solved it." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Imitated." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Now, then, what's the last entry?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of existence." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying girl said." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Why that?' I asks. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason orange pips. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." meant it for the best. the bottom.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the general public were present, then?" "Entirely." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long ran thus: it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly and inquire as to the address." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "He slept on the premises." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile and have this put in the evening papers." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I was afraid that you were engaged." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me some city in a dream. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six opened a pocket-book and took out a note. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" was used.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, public press." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of clanging. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No, my brougham is waiting." conceal it?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Surrey." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, III. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have arms and began to sob in a high treble key. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in chair. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the bottom.' past. peculiar to him. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? said he. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and habit of advancing money.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third