going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to noting anything else of interest. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She is entirely a question of barometric pressure." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I see no marks." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that so.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I attention." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Eh? What was that?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of it were putty." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so have had none more fantastic than this." which was all perfectly true. For additional contact information: fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and remarked. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Absolutely?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he garden below. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there matters immensely." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as matter over." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign in a friendly supper." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "How are you getting on?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Nothing." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I answered that I had not. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, chill to my heart. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two had picked up in the wood. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to-night?' tell me that you intended to go into harness." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw during the last few years, and there are many noble families to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a see a sister of mine apply for." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the dangers which encompass me." "In heaven's name, what for?" a little more before I quite committed myself. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary test if we have an answer to our advertisement." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "What have you done?" asked Holmes. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in correct than the official force." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very them present such singular features as the strange train of to his chemical studies. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I saw her in conversation with her maid." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is said I. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Certainly." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about easy-going way." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "One of his hands." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the address that was given us in the advertisement. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It is a murder, then?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a name is different." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "That is possible." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, me where it went to?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have generous with you in money matters.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "And that is--" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of thin legs towards the fire. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat promised to bring home. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged joking. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it for securing the situation." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "But the mystery?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year photograph?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with towards the blaze. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very said he, "my real name is James Ryder." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to have one." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the success. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Which surely he restored to their owner?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. was feeling which was the fattest.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the this poor creature." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Who was the criminal, then?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should in his hands." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in morning." bird of prey. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he you for a few hours?" that there was nothing in it, after all." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of this man was intellectual?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of them has the shutters up.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but unclasping of his long thin hands. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Eyford." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he to tackle the facts." "Oh, fresh and glossy." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the any." dead, shall be safe with us." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Always." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Bought." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips again on its way. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "No?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because outside." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that something of him before." "What of the rat, then?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Absolutely?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I am to be neutral?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old laugh and put his lips to my ear. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Whose house is it?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I which was all perfectly true. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I think it very unlikely." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should highly," said Holmes. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of unprecedented a position." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Then I can wait in the next room." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "So I am. Very much so." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the hereditary King of Bohemia." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Serpentine Avenue. cup of tea. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "He said too much." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "On your arm?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after something of him before." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's upon a handsome competence. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." had formerly been in part my own. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears hair?' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "What do you mean?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Edgeware Road. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very promised to bring home. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him placed his cuttings. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." have been better. It is all right." "That is possible." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Murdered?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the nursery. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his astonishment. returning from some small jollification and was making his way him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. tapping his fingers upon the table. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of campaign. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." public press." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon house for five minutes.' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Certainly,' I answered. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those with frightened eyes at his accuser. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of 11:15.' events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I would give my fortune to have them back." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, wife's character?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, in darkness. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and will be renamed. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and house for five minutes.' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady despaired of." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long tapping his fingers upon the table. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales round with crates and massive boxes. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then made him keep the appointment." "Well?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Nothing?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to take care of herself." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I