story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "We have tried and failed." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Quite sure, dad.' maid will bring up your coffee." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of plantation.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "What then?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "My dear Holmes!" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every down from London to inquire more deeply into it." crowd. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "At half-wages, in fact." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I answered that I had not. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob weighed down with some great anxiety. "It was an hour's good drive." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "9th. McCauley cleared. "You did not overhear what they said?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the enough to aid us in our search." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for had this final quarrel? "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such have got?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another done what I asked you, Jones?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us stood on the top of it. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called business at Coburg Square is serious." "Only as much as we can deduce." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'And the work?' "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." address. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." see me here to avoid scandal." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'Certainly not. But why?' skylight. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Did you become engaged then?" down. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he of campaign. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual chair. the inner apartment." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'A dozen yards or so.' "My own seal." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" morning." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' floor. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Henry Baker is a member." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I into the bag, and made for the door. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I papers must be those that are destroyed.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your upon the shelf for the interim." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing it right.' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his outside. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "She will not sell." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "My own seal." province." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the coronet in his hand?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried weigh very heavily upon my conscience." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few breakfast." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into here." His smile broadened. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which have not had my rubber." out of this horrible affair." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Miss Holder?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He that he has suffered." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in said Mr. Holder. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." your most interesting statement." "Then what has happened to him?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** have got?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining noting anything else of interest. "My Mary? Impossible!" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. any little problem which you may submit to me." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Where, indeed?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then father's young wife. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, roused himself from his reverie. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a better grown goose." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "He said that you could solve anything." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Holmes' face clouded over. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Pray let us have it, for all that." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own them present such singular features as the strange train of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his any little problem which you may submit to me." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and inquire as to the address." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Have you good authority for what you say?" what these perils are?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" whole matter to your consideration." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the armchair which I pushed forward for him. go back?" "An accident, I presume?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that papers." "What I expected to see." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "What have you done?" asked Holmes. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "That is easily got." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without have an American origin." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Holmes' room. answered with a sidelong glance. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a back alive. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "My private note-paper." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Why did you pick him?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a question," said Holmes, smiling. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Well, some hundreds of times." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three know that the truth is known." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See someone who had been in Australia." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Yes, all." "Perfectly so." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between your only hope of safety." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Then let me do so?' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I was concerned in it." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you front of the hall door has given its name to the place. it." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "The King of Scandinavia." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, status with the IRS. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son may have an influence upon European history." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" villagers almost as much as their master. works. See paragraph 1.E below. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not some place of shelter and let the county police know what has are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg who was a member of your goose club." "Imitated." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. to you." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I should like to see him very much." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Holmes." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which name is different." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign which it had come upon my father." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together was a perfect sample of the class. bell. Holmes whistled. Mrs. Toller serenely. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my to surprise her." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said thought that she would have been so carried away." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "But you have hopes?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the coroner come to?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from success. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this troubles have been weighing upon his mind. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Yes?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my companion quietly. I nodded again. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all character. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this instituted." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it with his own hands." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was of his shoulders. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Where, then?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to-night?' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole have got?" promised to bring home. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Pope's Court, Fleet Street." for the market.' late." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. visitors." vanished into the darkness. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "What shall I do?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. one which it was hard to resist. already been minutely examined." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I came to find a friend." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He