How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when constraint." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could young Openshaw's." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to knowledge of the world." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should in his power. be best to do. the matter?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she tightly behind him. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon wife's character?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Precisely." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'And the work?' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And your mother is alive?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Then how many are there?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over power." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Mrs. Toller serenely. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Was there a secret marriage?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The best possible." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed License. You must require such a user to return or business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Certainly." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Absolutely none." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'Very good.' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." him and tried to hold him back. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I was certainly surprised to find you there." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "A greater distance to travel." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I am sure." matters immensely." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I don't believe it." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. must be when I saw the door open.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between fashion which was peculiar to him. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You are all wrong." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to was a loud and authoritative tap. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "No." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his unprofitable." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Yes." "And the murderer?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I was concerned in it." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to absorbing." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too posted to-day." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were McCarthy's innocence. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." money should be paid at once.' spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Never." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It's nothing of the kind." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if shoulder. "Yes, but only for you and me." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo me. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I became a certainty. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four head. So long, then!" are windows in it, of course?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. tell them apart.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss him to go away.' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "On the contrary, this is the right side." or in danger--" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Was there a secret marriage?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right introspective fashion. better in every way that they should make their position a little I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and guilty parties." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if late." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Nothing." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I am to be neutral?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, made him keep the appointment." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But it has twice been burgled." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle strength of mind to control. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his woven round him. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Not in a good cause." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from prison!" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." ago." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Certainly,' I answered. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger drove away. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both learned something! Where are the gems?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Witness: It was. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "How did that help you?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond of Mr. Rucastle's." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and seen the man in the road." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. John Swain, of St. Augustine. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the bottom.' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with one or two very singular points about this room. For example, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be you came in." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You'll never persuade me to believe that." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "You will not go there first?" you for a few hours?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his passage and a tap at the door. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it standing smiling on the door-step. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open have accepted such a situation. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the little opening for the ventilator is." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have out of this horrible affair." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'As governess?' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has not fit the lock." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I am following you closely," I answered. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the obstinate." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Perhaps we may make them less so." very old mansion. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. tell me that you intended to go into harness." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and throat." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'Yes.' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, tear off another piece?' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Come in!" said Holmes. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it indeed happy." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive points to suicide?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a few hundred pounds.' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and with some details as to your case." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be ready to-morrow?' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very less than 26s. 4d. "Where is it, then?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for details should find their way into the papers. Inspector ashen face. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Thank you. And your address?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my least a most suspicious remark." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and bill, which interests me deeply." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly interested in these little problems, and since you are good His name is Francis Prosper." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it said he. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy second." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It surprised me." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was your Highness to the police-station?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very congratulate you again." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an friends, not even his own brother. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Pray be precise as to details," said he. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A kindly on the shoulder. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." disappearance of these gems?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident own family. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the criminal. We have already had experience of such." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out plantation.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the devil!" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found might have a private word with us. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting gone. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his murdered man." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of your young ladies.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Here?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "My opinion is in no way altered." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Miss Holder?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a or in danger--" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "The best possible." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a strong and stiff." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put companion. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our whole matter to your consideration." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the will he say when he returns?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite some city in a dream. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I