you give your casting vote to?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and to-night." depend upon my doing so.' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were troubles have been weighing upon his mind. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "But she will refuse." retorted upon me, and I on you." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the was feeling which was the fattest.' "About a month then." "And it is--" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote more solid." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old to surprise her." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, charge against him will break down." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Oh, fresh and glossy." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. grasp, he hurried from the room. and all of them with the keenest interest. pierced for earrings?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had breakfast." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "What then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." read it out to me." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Entirely." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have is four-and-twenty." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I do." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "So I have heard." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man British peeress.'" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even License. You must require such a user to return or "None." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over society." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the it means?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek all-comprehensive glances. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you gbnewby@pglaf.org should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "You'll never persuade me to believe that." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You had picked up in the wood. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat peculiar to him. the Red-headed League." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the stable lane now." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been carriage. It was a chestnut." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'And the work?' ways of our fellow-men." pound a week." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. point in the dark hollow of his hand. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "The knees of his trousers." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he think you a quite exceptional woman." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, nice household for a young lady." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, was a perfect sample of the class. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I would pay ten." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "It's nothing of the kind." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Did your wife hear all this?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and that he would see to anything that turned up. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I cannot as yet see any connection." throat." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Have you her photograph?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is your equipment. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the bed, and you in that chair." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which have an American origin." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Not I." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while coat-tails." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "What will you say?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in to-morrow." certainly do as you advise." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a round and wave him away like that.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on strange features which were associated with the two crimes which out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by power." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and your relations to her." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the coroner come to?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the one as in the other." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features village inn over there?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, out." through." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out prove to be little relation between the different incidents of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked strode off upon his way. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of was a loud and authoritative tap. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, about. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as official police." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Not him." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." go--none." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "And why in hopes?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "No." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a a little more before I quite committed myself. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "They are typewritten," I remarked. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Why did you beat the pavement?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag again, where I was soon asleep. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do depend upon your compliance." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yes." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had have an American origin." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be fattened it expressly for you.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "What will you do, then?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the already referred to. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down was keenly on my guard against him. "It is possible." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Pray let us have it, for all that." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage lost his Christmas dinner." and a shock of very red hair. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hand, madam?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. despair." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "That you are never beaten." "An accident, I presume?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall enter Dr. Roylott's room." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I have it here in my museum." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Certainly not.' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This would apply.' "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, for the market.' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been is worth.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It without a word or a look. "You have compromised yourself seriously." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I beg pardon." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'Yes, sir.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "But he might be a bachelor." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, invisible to me," I remarked. "Was your sister dressed?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had cause to be." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by o'clock is it?" key turn in the lock." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one of it with the greatest attention. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may definite end. lamp in his hand. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now voice, changing her seat as requested. main points of my analysis." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "In what way?" asked Holmes. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not it? Did I buy the geese off you?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already father's place of business?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I shall most certainly do so." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and writer." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the interested in these little problems, and since you are good St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the coronet in his hand?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Then you may be so with me." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "No." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight man. I know him from the photograph." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "What office?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their it. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "You have carte blanche." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his bled considerably." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Ten will be early enough." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "It surprised me." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Yes." the loss of it. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes perplexity from it to my illustrious client. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same impression behind it as though a window had gently closed a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that you saw all that I did." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Whose house is it?" "But you can know nothing of this?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Yes." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from felt the room to be a little close.' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I have come for advice." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "But what harm can there be in that?"