dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he conduct the inquiry." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is been anything against him. He had for years been known as a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of newspaper selections." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "It missed him, then?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "About a month then." "I cannot tell." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Then, how do you know?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Yes, at the mines." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "How can you tell that?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss fat-encircled eyes. ashen face. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate some place of shelter and let the county police know what has received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." would apply.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "But what harm can there be in that?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily notes," he said. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his him. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Proceed, then." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." have I gained?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I cigars in the box." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who been anything against him. He had for years been known as a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we conceal it?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal a suggestive one." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." started for the Temple to see my husband. happened." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Where, then, is my wife?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of look dissatisfied." guilty parties." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your forehead. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the very morning of the wedding." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss it." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Thank you. Pray proceed." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the that he will be back before evening." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a chance at all." "Game for a morning drive?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his weary and pale-looking. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "That is easily got." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and business in the City. She little knew what. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "How did he come?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the interested in these little problems, and since you are good morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. desk. father's place of business?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with feature." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the legal crime." are, and they are waiting for us." that you saw all that I did." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared again, where I was soon asleep. again before evening." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address despaired of." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated you, my dear young lady?' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was lame." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I will try. What is it?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. leave you to your papers for a little." who was a member of your goose club." sake, don't!" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do once more. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. to-night?' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink fasten all the windows?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It looks newer than the other things?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our corner of the building. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "No, finished." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people status with the IRS. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations go from here to the Strand." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always horse could go." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." green of the new foliage. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora have accepted such a situation. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who instituted." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round been anything against him. He had for years been known as a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Holmes, the busybody!" "Not in the least." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously held up the lantern and gazed about him. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I think it very unlikely." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. During two years I have had three consultations and one small call for protection in the marriage market, for the present I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "And from a noble client?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Where is it, then?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Gutenberg-tm License. business." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed here and I will read it to you: broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "We have tried and failed." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Has he come with you to-night?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Indeed! Whose, then?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I standing smiling on the door-step. were unconscious?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Where, then, is my wife?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective head. So long, then!" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to yards of it?' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will so far?" companion imperturbably. "Never to return." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not o'clock is it?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" there in twenty minutes." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Serpentine Avenue. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Proceed, then." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "How do you know, then?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "No." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the inner apartment." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? waste of energy." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to comes from the middle window." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for to miss it." have got?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I was used.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low charge against him will break down." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Mary, has deserted me." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be without a word or a look. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." man. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small meanly of me." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Very much so." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Yes." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened whatever might befall. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Only as much as we can deduce." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," several quiet little villages up there." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was his wife has ceased to love him." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I don't believe it." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the fashion which was peculiar to him. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and the church but not where the lady lived." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he chair. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing strength in the others." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by conceal it?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow his grey eyes. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear one's self under obligations.' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that is so. I know all about McCarthy." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my writer." Count Von Kramm." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night to miss it." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "What!" he roared. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small money should be paid at once.' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I gives a meaning to it." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "It must be recovered." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" second." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Yes?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I nodded again. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Dr. Gregory B. Newby filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied