when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most sneer upon his pale face. you, my dear young lady?' just ask you whether you had heard it.' existence." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "But you have hopes?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone a very grave face. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to papers on the sundial.'" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come village inn over there?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I am still in the dark." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Your French gold?" His name is Francis Prosper." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, question. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I it with his own hands." "And how did he make his money?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I photograph?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel crime. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." posted to-day." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, suddenly upon us." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." not fit the lock." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may respectable self." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "And is that all?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your spare." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my shaken than I had ever seen him. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be started for the Temple to see my husband. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She been deceived." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment became a certainty. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Yes, sir." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, done what I asked you, Jones?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, present." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better o'clock is it?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Holmes." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I have a cab outside." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and himself. stammered. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the side-table." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I was mad--insane." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "A call for help, you thought?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men upon a handsome competence. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the him, that man would not have given me such complete information and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son in his power. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for went to the Alpha were town bred." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project are, and they are waiting for us." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I have solved it." may never be exposed to such a temptation." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Dr. Becher's." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The whole matter to your consideration." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: silent! Oh, he will be silent!' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I think that I could be of assistance to you." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it is entirely a question of barometric pressure." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and looked back. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Very. But will he see it?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "It is true that I have been generally successful." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their do you make of it all?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on maiden herself was most instructive." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Edgeware Road. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Gutenberg-tm License. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it sofa. This way, please!" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "On your arm?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you I held the little printed slip to the light. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. meant." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'In my own bureau.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I ashen face. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have maid will bring up your coffee." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; think that any burglar could have done. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Yes, all." approach us with offers to donate. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the one as in the other." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's chill to my heart. important." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, one which it was hard to resist. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "How many? I don't know." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, started for the Temple to see my husband. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief it." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'Yes, it was gone.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for business came to an end." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think it right.' this man was intellectual?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of must compliment you." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle lips." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the stable lane now." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and three fields round his house, and there he would take his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "But his lameness?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture flock.' acted in my house last night?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I am to be neutral?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "It's nothing of the kind." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." My friend smiled. "Have you her photograph?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE it." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Clair, of Lee." one of the states of the Union." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Is he quiet?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Holmes, the busybody!" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Yes." "A client, then?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. do.' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "My own seal." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "And on what day did he meet his death?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that along the entire front of the house, with three long windows workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By must compliment you." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering business?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his cane at the bell-pull. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a from the brougham. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the to-morrow." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Game for a morning drive?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "I am sure." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to questioning and rather startled gaze. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to washing it down with a long draught of water. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I pound a week." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "No." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very plantation.' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." weapon." "Your presence might be invaluable." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I shall communicate with you." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "That's no good." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters away to you." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "And the murderer?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Nothing." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, with frightened eyes at his accuser. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "And I say east," said my patient. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than it right.' Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden place of silver." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Have you good authority for what you say?" nonsense.' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes, only one." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, tell them apart.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "What! Had he lost his wife?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. your own bird, so if you wish--" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become correct than the official force." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" flock.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was a lad." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its you found me to-night--and running through the front room she time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place