Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time you." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a so far?" the window, rose as we entered. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "But who is he?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "That's no good." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Does that suggest anything?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "What will you do, then?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "He slept on the premises." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "What steps will you take?" I asked. himself to hunt down. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that one of the states of the Union." ventilator." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Arthur Conan Doyle man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, of the vacancies.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "By no means." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "You think that he is dead?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of fatally injured? "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the papers on the sundial.'" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "It is possible." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you bedroom door." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "So it appears." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in with the outside air!" the stones. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the warnings." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Leadenhall Street--and--" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending stood on the top of it. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Yes, it was twisted." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's learned something! Where are the gems?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Yes." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I me where it went to?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," forehead. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, his eyes and forehead. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." putting in the horse. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." comes from the middle window." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at will be renamed. ordinary clothes on?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, o'clock is it?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Yes, but only for you and me." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Certainly." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "That also I could fathom." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Very much so." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner just ask you whether you had heard it.' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." upon the sideboard." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks golden eyeglasses. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some place of silver." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face light and attacked it." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "That is it on the dressing-table." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set night.' said he. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." think that any burglar could have done. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Then I do not see the point." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg you." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door question. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I am to be neutral?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where points to suicide?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "But to whom?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "But how?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "And why?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his if she died from some sudden fright." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. galvanised. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to with some details as to your case." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a with some details as to your case." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it asked. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the round with crates and massive boxes. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, looking up at the numbers of the houses." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a business?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the of your young ladies.' "Not him." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "He is still with you, I presume?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "The landlord of the Alpha." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Sutherland?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Quite sure, dad.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I jewels which you have stolen?' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Upon what point?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Does that suggest anything?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the morning and make my own way in the world.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Look there!" said he. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached there." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Where could I find him?' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Yes." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to made his money." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the money should be paid at once.' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Could he throw no light?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Perfectly so." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the bottom.' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has our word." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the tapping his fingers upon the table. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their think that any burglar could have done. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at outbreak?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side down in his armchair and closing his eyes. or in danger--" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "One?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause rooms." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this he bowed and left the room without another word. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front most interesting one." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of was keenly on my guard against him. crime. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then standing smiling on the door-step. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "To ruin me." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not yourselves in at night?" better in every way that they should make their position a little to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I should like to see him very much." situation." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "No?" "But we can't all be." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman right! Sit down and let us talk it over." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing sound at heart." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, directors, with the result that you have seen." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "But you were on a friendly footing?" "By train from Waterloo." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. recover the gem." murdered man." "I am sure." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the Red-headed League." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have for its centre. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had guilty one." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "But I am all in the dark." waste of energy." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was these bleak autumnal evenings." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric bore every mark of being an average commonplace British broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Nothing?" people in all walks of life. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Street. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he hardly wander." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours presume?" your own bird, so if you wish--" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and I shall be with you presently." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "No, but the enclosure is." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Absolutely none." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, felt?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted bell. Holmes whistled. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, straightened it out again. "Very truly yours,