even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." have one." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself will take you up to see the machine.' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually crackling voice. gone. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my know that the truth is known." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "That also I could fathom." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of entirely devoid of interest." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point You want to know what became of those geese?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you understand?" a very grave face. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away asked with his eyes open. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Perhaps I have." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. for the market.' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." neither fascinating nor artistic." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic morning." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to from you?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary so.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the date of his supposed suicide." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders which it had come upon my father." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "In which, sir?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you States. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "BALLARAT." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "What is it?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the station." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "One?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Was he the only applicant?" case before our client came into the room." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. existence." you." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see chair. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house comes from the middle window." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "By no means." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'Quite sure, dad.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" my secret was safe in his possession. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first points to suicide?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm instincts rose up against that laugh. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the child." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and prosperity to your house. Good-night." attention." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his look upon these things in a different way." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "What do you make of that, Watson?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, was a perfect sample of the class. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Then let me do so?' delighted to hear it," he said. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not remarked. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "That is it on the dressing-table." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Ah!" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "9th. McCauley cleared. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And for present expenses?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon himself in a perplexing position. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." colonel looking down at me. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Then he might have called to you?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Holmes. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "What of the rat, then?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "How are you getting on?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the window, rose as we entered. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "What can you not understand?" the Red-headed League." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was have I gained?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who there when the Rucastles went away." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a row." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I don't say that. Perhaps." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn distinguish the words: "May I see it?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and think that any burglar could have done. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he brought there to personate someone, and the real person is not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the general public were present, then?" page at http://pglaf.org "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being completely overtopped every other consideration that we both to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be into the bag, and made for the door. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Again Holmes raved in the air. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured it. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the date of his supposed suicide." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Yes, certainly." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two said he at last. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It came here." were unconscious?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It is true that I have been generally successful." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our which we had just quitted. "My dear Holmes!" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the nursery. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at maid will bring up your coffee." cup of tea. guilty one." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my cigars in their mouths. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel have got?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "How often?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Not social, then?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a key of the affair now." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you sufficient punishment." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes again." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that one of them." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before come either from the window or the door. My attention was "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I see no marks." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "No, but the enclosure is." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to-night?" I asked. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "But she could not love him." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was lame." him. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Perfectly so." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was in this way: a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "One?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that without a word or a look. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe conceal it?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Only as much as we can deduce." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. eavesdroppers?' "Why did you pick him?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, His smile broadened. "No." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Could he throw no light?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in miles off. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I cannot say that I have." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "On Monday." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Certainly." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his arrested. You then--" becomes even more simple." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm bearing upon the case." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "This concluded the examination of the witness." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the should be so warm over such a trifle." was a perfect sample of the class. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "He is still with you, I presume?" "Where is it, then?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Oh, fresh and glossy." Edgeware Road. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Did you observe the colour?" to change my dress. "Nothing." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Frequently." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'What then?' I asked. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right himself to tell his story. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "And why?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. happened." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the driver. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Yes, but only for you and me." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much answer."