to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most client, rising. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'You cannot say what it was?' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Of what?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal prison!" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the there has been an enclosure here!" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled cause to be." I leave." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'About the same.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. comes from the middle window." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be your bag." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, himself in a perplexing position. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I will get her to show me." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, suspect him." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Was there a secret marriage?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no shoulder. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the time." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), room?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the second window is the one that I jumped from." she to prove their authenticity?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a for the market.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of infinite languor in his face. families. Now for the facts. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the purpose equally well?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel status with the IRS. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "So I am. Very much so." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that threaten you." "There is the writing." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Young McCarthy must be got off, however." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. did not hear it also.' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these indiscretion." "I am all attention, madam." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I cannot think." tapping his fingers upon the table. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the could not have written that. It is the German who is so have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Eh? What was that?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting light and attacked it." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" bears upon the case?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Was there a secret marriage?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of it with his own hands." "Your sister is dead, then?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and laid it on the table. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and the church but not where the lady lived." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes it." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," you in yours." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Stoke Moran?" said he. Arthur Conan Doyle the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my might help us?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this which are rolled in Rotterdam." good-night and bustled off upon her way. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose prove to be little relation between the different incidents of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: there!' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "My dear Holmes!" weighed down with some great anxiety. lamp in his hand. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had place of silver." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the nothing of it?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Witness: Nothing definite. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into forehead. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, here." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I beg pardon." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "I was mad--insane." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "BALLARAT." in a friendly supper." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and you in your example." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of three fields round his house, and there he would take his writers could invent nothing more crude." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three written. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to wanted for ourselves." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in wall." "Get out!" said he. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "BALLARAT." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I would give my fortune to have them back." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that you saw all that I did." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." drawing your inferences." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away until night should bring an explanation. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which himself. call it cruel." "I have come for advice." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who father's young wife. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came straighten it?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police question," said Holmes, smiling. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. maid will bring up your coffee." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Witness: It was. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Certainly, madam." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the you give your casting vote to?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment train from Paddington which would bring you there at about could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Murdered?" been shamefully used." be there in time for your coming." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being searched, without anything being found which could incriminate impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I am about to be married." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "How can you tell that?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the his forehead." "Certainly, madam." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that there was nothing in it, after all." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be woven round him. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." 1.F. "And it is--" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I see no marks." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort never came back." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but I have it here in my museum." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "We were both in the photograph." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" the salesman. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. humiliation." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Well." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the when your master had gone out." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'And the work?' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire think you a quite exceptional woman." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and into the room. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." morning." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who instituted." annoyance, but no jest. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the mysterious business." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and all of them with the keenest interest. "That is not always so easy." helping a boy to put up the shutters. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I shall communicate with you." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Which are?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the then?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "In answer to an advertisement." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Yes." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had galvanised. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited laugh and put his lips to my ear. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "In answer to an advertisement."