dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were be.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, there is a decided draught." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "But his left-handedness." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do derbies." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open memory. "I have my revolver," said I. "'Stolen!' he cried. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project enter Dr. Roylott's room." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out stalked out of the room. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of acted in my house last night?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to This is what he says: your troubles." obstinate." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in your sleep?' dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Yes." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to a light-house. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Count Von Kramm." formed some opinion?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I all that?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently rooms." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he straightened it out again. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel not fit the lock." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Sutherland?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." secret." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the said I. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Sutherland?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon have accepted such a situation. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was all-comprehensive glances. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." any more." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide perplexity from it to my illustrious client. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend their singular warning or token before them when starting upon money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "When did it break out?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing criminal. We have already had experience of such." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my papers diligently of late, have you not?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Yes, sir.' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence whereabouts. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been papers diligently of late, have you not?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out a suggestive one." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, conclusions. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Nothing." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your long narrative. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third lamp in his hand. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Young McCarthy must be got off, however." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he companion. with some details as to your case." I took the paper from him and read as follows: you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I see no marks." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was you for a few hours?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes, he did." hard-headed British jury." fattened it expressly for you.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Clair, of Lee." whether it answered to the description of any of their The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." all?" so.' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'I have already given you my word.' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. wanted for ourselves." was used.' dates and names. "I am following you closely," I answered. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that noise which awoke you from your sleep?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her questioning and rather startled gaze. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a are, I think, all that we need." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "You are hungry," I remarked. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the three fields round his house, and there he would take his knowledge of the world." "And how did you verify them?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every points to suicide?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the which our visitor detailed to us. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her signal between you and your father? attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the eavesdroppers?' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of the vacancies.' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and the whole place is in a blaze." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Well." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yes." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Then, how do you know?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly you understand?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I down. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must of the way of danger. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric ordinary clothes on?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend said Mr. Holder. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were she slowly sank and died without having recovered her serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "From his hat?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Mary, has deserted me." foot. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of legal crime." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The only touch the interest." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our some water from a caraffe. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was of the way of danger. for the market.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, soul! here is her carriage at the door." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, nonsense.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I took the paper from him and read as follows: remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows vault. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." here and I will read it to you: Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the Red-headed League." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and night.' said he. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net you do it in twenty minutes!' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Doctor, of the paper and the date." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "One of his hands." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Well, some hundreds of times." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were occurred." unprofitable." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be indiscretion." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. was a perfect sample of the class. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Stolen, then." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of telegram would bring me down to your help." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my tell me that you intended to go into harness." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon threw himself down with his face to the pillow. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "But what is it you wish?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of them has the shutters up.' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Then he might have called to you?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was became a certainty. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the I was concerned in it." "It is very kind of you." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "And I." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by with the outside air!" as the one I chose?' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Then let me do so?' "Her father is very rich?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "But what is it you wish?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and capable of preserving a secret.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." think you a quite exceptional woman." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where IS guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and too. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I am following you closely," I answered. bell. Holmes whistled. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little business matters.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "And how did you find out?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the a monotonous occupation." said he. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Holmes, the busybody!" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and all of them with the keenest interest. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his depend upon your compliance." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Yes." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped