His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to talk it over. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days carriage. It was a chestnut." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Leave Paddington by the 11:15." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "What do you mean?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that you give your casting vote to?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Not I." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Not in the least." "'Certainly not.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain reach." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I DAMAGE. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in his grey eyes. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "It's nothing of the kind." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "You think so, too?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "It missed him, then?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it promised to bring home. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few side. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always yards of it?' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he October 9, 1890. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then three fields round his house, and there he would take his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. manager. his wife has ceased to love him." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "It is very kind of you." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I will not look." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Eh? What was that?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "What office?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much gone before you can get him to hospital." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Not I." eavesdroppers?' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him from the brougham. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and which it had come upon my father." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked appeared upon the scene." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying delighted to hear it," he said. there." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But what is it you wish?" security.' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Precisely." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought started for the Temple to see my husband. seen the man in the road." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled any more." there." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. answered with a sidelong glance. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which you." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We one of them." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Most admirably.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Did he not advertise?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his on re-entering her father's house?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with trying to your nerves." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor during which he might have communicated with his friend the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no events than those which have happened in my own family." photograph?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Then what has happened to him?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Yes." "Murdered?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Where could I find him?' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I am sure." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head despaired of." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and we went to search for him, face downward in a little itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand will be renamed. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, for its centre. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Not yet." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "That is not always so easy." and a shock of very red hair. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The tassel actually lying upon the pillow. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide business came to an end." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the you in your example." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "In answer to an advertisement." has little to do with my story." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an American. Then who could this American be, and why should he others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage some water from a caraffe. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "That is unusual in a young girl." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, or in danger--" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. but preventing her from injuring another. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into were wasted." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "What?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to stepfather?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to it were putty." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their do you make of it all?" be.' "That is unusual in a young girl." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came it." "Murdered?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Thank you. Pray proceed." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Was your sister dressed?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his was once confined in the cab my mission was practically stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Was there a secret marriage?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had indiscretion." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from with her." "And it is--" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The never will be, entirely cleared up. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "And who is her maid?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more chance at all." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For a very grave face. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the most interesting one." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I was mad--insane." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Did he not advertise?" that I am arrested." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. with you alone." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I cannot think." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Then he might have called to you?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "So I have heard." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready sneer upon his pale face. I took the paper from him and read as follows: he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the coronet in his hands?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "I cannot tell." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'How far from the body?' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you tell them apart.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "But it has twice been burgled." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Watson," he said cordially. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Could he throw no light?" "Yes." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the Red-headed League." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Then, how do you know?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no read it out to me." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "No, I think that I'll take it." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Here?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "No." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. thirty. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by jewels which you have stolen?' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself a monotonous occupation." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while