"And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Pope's Court. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that about. that he will be back before evening." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Sutherland?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father not as remarkable as your advertisement." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which gives a meaning to it." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" rose-bushes. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the iron safe, which he closed upon it. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "If so, much may have happened between." "Yes." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that you saw all that I did." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the place of silver." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all key of the affair now." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to nothing with him." good for you to do.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant shall use the carriage to-night." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Lee, in the county of Kent." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to surprise her." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his back alive. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "You have the photograph?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Then I can wait in the next room." "But what is it you wish?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'There is a drive, then?' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the within hail.' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, important." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said What do you deduce from it?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the side-table." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It looks newer than the other things?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a could gather together that I was able to avert another public man. she used." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." but preventing her from injuring another. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "In what way?" asked Holmes. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "But of what society?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one your Highness to the police-station?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "And I say east," said my patient. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the emerged. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Come in!" said Holmes. presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I am following you closely," I answered. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the late." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And Irene Adler?" very old mansion. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'I have heard so.' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian weapon." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked occurred." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which jewels which you have stolen?' returned to France?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, may have an influence upon European history." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us goes." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some bachelor.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. papers must be those that are destroyed.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very ventilator." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes, only one." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away seen the man in the road." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Holmes' thin, eager face. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be shaken than I had ever seen him. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I purpose equally well?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "He is dead," cried several voices. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, golden eyeglasses. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Perfectly so." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a call for it in person on Monday morning.' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Whose house is it?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "You are all wrong." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Which are?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of is acting for the best. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found your most interesting statement." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "The landlord of the Alpha." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall up this clue while it is still hot." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you imbecility!" he cried. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. taking in every detail of the apartment. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "But the mystery?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and wait." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and asked with his eyes open. "What! a murderous attack?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him weary and pale-looking. feature." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really remarked. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Yes, I have one waiting." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, forecastle of an emigrant ship. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six noting anything else of interest. humiliation." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary wife's character?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's situation." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "It certainly sounds feasible." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Nothing?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "It certainly sounds feasible." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'It is locked up,' I answered. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the bed, and you in that chair." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." confronted him. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Get out!" said he. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat IS the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Not him." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end problems help me to do so." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the II. province." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "It is a murder, then?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands it. himself to hunt down. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought before, for it was considerably after midnight. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my not fit the lock." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, like that before?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "The King of Scandinavia." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a hurried by. "'Entirely.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "At the wedding breakfast." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "By no means." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past It was close upon four before the door opened, and a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on following enigmatical notices: knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, occurred." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it that you saw all that I did." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that said I. "She showed me, as I told you she would." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in redistribution. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private one of the states of the Union." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the danger is over." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in is four-and-twenty." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and shall probably return to London by the evening train." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass strong and stiff." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Perfectly so." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "When did it break out?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the into the bag, and made for the door. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The security.' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that train from Paddington which would bring you there at about found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the window, rose as we entered. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would fatally injured? again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the best of training." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "But what will you do?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in heavy and sharp instrument." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that families. Now for the facts. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more occurred." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "There is the writing." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens papers diligently of late, have you not?" your only hope of safety." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down again." into the bag, and made for the door.