what is your own theory as to what took place?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked respectable self." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Well, some hundreds of times." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" mystery!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I will, Miss Turner." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the it." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect himself to tell his story. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Yes, all." that he will be back before evening." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an attention." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and so far?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Ha! you find it so?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, neither fascinating nor artistic." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." despaired of." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "By train from Waterloo." that?' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to Leatherhead. could not have written that. It is the German who is so There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "A thing like a cleaver," said he. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what but preventing her from injuring another. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune down in his armchair and closing his eyes. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him me. should be so warm over such a trifle." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "I cannot imagine." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the followed. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with knowledge of the world." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I who was a member of your goose club." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier strength of mind to control. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a married her." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our your most interesting statement." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Yes, he did." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "And how did you verify them?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Ample.' footfalls from the street. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you developed." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress was feeling which was the fattest.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. weapon." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so six. Come in!" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "To ruin me." look dissatisfied." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" will take you up to see the machine.' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And keep the flames under. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an him. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "At half-wages, in fact." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the returned to France?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. more solid." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a investigation." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still hands. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement of Mr. Rucastle's." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. nothing with him." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I his face. could not have written that. It is the German who is so out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Pope's Court. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be III. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was despaired of." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the night.' business at Coburg Square is serious." "And why?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, address. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many affection." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination I shall continue with my miserable story. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "No, distinctly professional." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they again before evening." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "What office?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed bare slabs of marble. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Do you know him?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the driver. "I am still in the dark." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "What is it?" you, my dear young lady?' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Frequently." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. astonishment. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Nothing." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Certainly, madam." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "My private note-paper." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She advice." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" knowledge of the world." "Here?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the business?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply tell him that I know him to be innocent." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." it." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." that?' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he up this clue while it is still hot." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." speckled band?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "But how?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. it means?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I have hopes." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Where is it, then?" them?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying me what he had done with the three missing stones. the date of his supposed suicide." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was there was no need for father to know." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I would pay ten." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." more solid." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through his wife has ceased to love him." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to rat could hardly pass through." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as crowd. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' dates and names. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to that open window." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came people in all walks of life. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "And what did you learn from him?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; arms and began to sob in a high treble key. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "When did she vanish, then?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And existence." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman occupations.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might looking up at the numbers of the houses." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and effective." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You walking." "None." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I do." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and man. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'I shall certainly be there.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'How far from the body?' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the devil!" recover the gem." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "But to whom?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when morning." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very unprecedented a position." the stones. were unconscious?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and It was close upon four before the door opened, and a said Mr. Holder. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that this remarkable episode. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your But Holmes shook his head gravely. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. had a long day." made his money." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Literary Archive Foundation "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "What is it?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Precisely so. But how--" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. call the police, let the police find what they can.' been shamefully used." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "But who is he?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened