sit on the left-hand side of the driver." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace been lifted and conveyed somewhere." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he feature." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "He is dead," cried several voices. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem four million human beings all jostling each other within the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Very good.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in points to suicide?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short tightly behind him. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "It is very kind of you." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a went to the Alpha were town bred." "That is unusual in a young girl." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" only touch the interest." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' province." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "The landlord of the Alpha." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Again Holmes raved in the air. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sutherland. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "That is possible." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the vanished into the darkness. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my once more. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and the whole place is in a blaze." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you it." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I shall be delighted." himself to hunt down. leave you to your papers for a little." feature." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told as yours." a suggestive one." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the loss of it. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "You have but to name it." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I am to be neutral?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the you give your casting vote to?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Nothing." his knees, staring into the fire. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Dirty?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his main points of my analysis." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to with you?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Ample.' Eyford." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Pray do so." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' that there was nothing in it, after all." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is help us in this matter." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" any more." such attractions and accomplishments?' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel just called myself is not exactly my own." "Well." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and too. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I am following you closely," I answered. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Yes, it was gone.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my distinguish the words: might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the child." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have over part of the map. "What do you read?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Watson," he said cordially. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "The Coroner: What do you mean? frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Perhaps we may make them less so." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has entirely devoid of interest." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "No, but the enclosure is." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door astonishment. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was said he at last. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love ready to-morrow?' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing a little more before I quite committed myself. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous crackling voice. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "And how did you verify them?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And why?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I believe that I should never have any practice at all. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment fire. You quite follow me?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. constraint." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Perhaps we may make them less so." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes, he did." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that or in danger--" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Which surely he restored to their owner?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Stoke Moran." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I am all attention, madam." had picked up in the wood. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "But how?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My one or two very singular points about this room. For example, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Yes." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the best of training." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the from the brougham. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she hopeless attempt at recovering them." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hurried away. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A situation." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "But it has twice been burgled." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Will you go?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but writing, and yet I know it well." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their plantation.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it for and were ordered to this address. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "To the police?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'I have heard so.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of highly," said Holmes. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' one of the states of the Union." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, when your master had gone out." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help You want to know what became of those geese?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Foundation she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips you came in." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing wedding?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of Mr. Rucastle's." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his straighten it?" "Was your sister dressed?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to directors, with the result that you have seen." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent reach." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Mary, has deserted me." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "There is the writing." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was investigation." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my It may be so in this case, also." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to business?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. when your master had gone out." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was ways including including checks, online payments and credit card out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" these bleak autumnal evenings." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between one else, I think." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'Which dealer's?' strong reason behind." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom which our visitor detailed to us. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey straightened it out again. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that thin legs towards the fire. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a British peeress.'" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a monotonous occupation." read it out to me." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "If so, much may have happened between." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the cost them two and thirty pounds." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Imitated." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each child?' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of Mr. Rucastle's." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in astonishment. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of Fenchurch Street." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,'