the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man upon the sideboard." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Holmes." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Will you go?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a was lame." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "There are none." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "How on earth--" chill to my heart. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Nothing?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I don't say that. Perhaps." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the You want to know what became of those geese?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. mysterious end." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Henry Baker is a member." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by several quiet little villages up there." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Very. But will he see it?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Never." "I see many objections to any such theory." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project with you alone." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but charge against him will break down." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At coroner's jury." him." have established a very serious case against the son of the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Was he the only applicant?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately back into the street. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative nothing with him." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "My stepfather's business papers." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this will not take me long to tell. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for friends, not even his own brother. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for troubles have been weighing upon his mind. wall." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Very well, sir. And this stone?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had detective. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a charged with?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the horse could go." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the outsides of the windows. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "But the mystery?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous do you make of it all?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." him. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "None." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." rooms." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, points to suicide?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and inquire as to the address." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the best of training." "What?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you chambers. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I your most interesting statement." rooms." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Stolen!' he cried. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan morning." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and your Highness to the police-station?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Again Holmes raved in the air. with her." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly miles off. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, very old mansion. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not is a common subject for conversation. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. for its centre. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss you found me to-night--and running through the front room she bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "What office?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect father's place of business?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not guilty parties." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "And the cigar-holder?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. at once, for I have only half an hour." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his I leave." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Certainly." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was to a more successful conclusion." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: really the only notable feature about the thing." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Stolen." "Yes, I have one waiting." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United my little problems." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Where to?' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I will, Miss Turner." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I fear not." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "And the cigar-holder?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "What, then?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no strength in the others." of the way of danger. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, noting anything else of interest. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the to a light-house. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to upon a handsome competence. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but views." "But what is it you wish?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the his eyes and forehead. this man was intellectual?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "One horse?" interjected Holmes. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of and have this put in the evening papers." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I have seen the police." Eyford." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I should be immensely obliged to you." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two drove away. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest tell them apart.' forehead. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which for and were ordered to this address. "How often?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I don't believe it." the driver. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the this Miss Turner." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "My opinion is in no way altered." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The me upon any point which I do not make clear." not personally threatened." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the Red-headed League." "When did she vanish, then?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Sholtos." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no drawing your inferences." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the Red-headed League." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to not come at once?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This handed it to him. more solid." "His face fell immediately. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the station." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Seven!" I answered. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo DAMAGE. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "How about poison?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to said he. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of neither fascinating nor artistic." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Very truly yours, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I directly by questioning you." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate keep the flames under. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. made him keep the appointment." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, which was all perfectly true. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the roots. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face matter over." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. charge against him will break down." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of already referred to. "Why did you beat the pavement?" hereditary King of Bohemia." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Of Friday, June 19th." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously,