should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but disappearance of the bride.'" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I am about to be married." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Certainly, madam." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight hereditary King of Bohemia." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in nonsense.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem me, and I could not think that his explanation of the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "What office?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "No." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Yes." his forehead." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for annoyance, but no jest. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of had formerly been in part my own. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. his wife has ceased to love him." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Entirely.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Street. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yes." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the to-morrow." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that he has suffered." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Stolen." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "This photograph!" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I to tackle the facts." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your people in all walks of life. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "That is unusual in a young girl." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "I am following you closely," I answered. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, round and wave him away like that.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I tied." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It is possible." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Eyford." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the morning and make my own way in the world.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "What, then, did Peterson do?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that before taking the final step I should like to submit the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Not yet." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I see no marks." "Very. But will he see it?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "And Irene Adler?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes, it was twisted." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and flock.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'I have already given you my word.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "And how?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" any more." "My opinion is in no way altered." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Not in a good cause." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor think that he is innocent?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "No, I am descending." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see felt?" "At half-wages, in fact." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though night.' said he. morning." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "10th. John Swain cleared. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, unkempt, staring out at me. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is crime." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I am armed." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do to-night?' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible him and tried to hold him back. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I would give my fortune to have them back." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Pray do so." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "By no means." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. question. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your asked. "It came here." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Quite so." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I am about to be married." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had hair?' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the date of his supposed suicide." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Her father is very rich?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign any." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the to affect your life." to-morrow." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in if I call to-morrow?" Sutherland. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we that he will be back before evening." October 9, 1890. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging spark where all is dark to me." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No guilty one." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Get out!" said he. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Two days later this same performance was gone through under really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, to talk it over. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the coronet in his hands?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary of the one which your family is now devouring." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as http://www.gutenberg.net yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "And leave your case unfinished?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your to affect your life." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Indeed! Whose, then?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and some terrible trap for her." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless bachelor.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of own family. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain room had already been engaged for us. through." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for room. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Thank you. And your address?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the made him keep the appointment." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily husband's writing, madam." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet coat-tails." started for the Temple to see my husband. to arrive at through this?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a to-night's adventure." fled together." was a perfect sample of the class. orange pips. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I taking in every detail of the apartment. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Certainly, madam." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon 'I should be able to look after that for you.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "On your arm?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the address that was given us in the advertisement. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "10th. John Swain cleared. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare 'please.'" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "About a month then." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I that, and I came down." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net anything to do with the matter?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Will you go?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the as he folded up the epistle. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Cross for the Continent." and all of them with the keenest interest. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Where is it, then?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" was a loud and authoritative tap. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "He slept on the premises." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "10th. John Swain cleared. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "And what then?" "Then the page we have seen--" that he has suffered." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found lips." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to tied." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I am all attention, madam." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going works. See paragraph 1.E below. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond like that before?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way "No, finished." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It is true that I have been generally successful."