"I came to find a friend." entirely devoid of interest." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out that you can jump it.' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "My photograph." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "This concluded the examination of the witness." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing comes from the middle window." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our helping a boy to put up the shutters. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** placed his cuttings. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "The vanishing of the lady." "Witness: Nothing definite. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the prepare for the new role I have to play." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Never.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Never to return." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss forbidden door. "It is very kind of you." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to you." night.' said he. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up attention." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to all that?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Holmes rather sternly. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." pressing in one house as in another. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "But how?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yes, there are nearly always some there." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "His face fell immediately. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Ah!" have accepted such a situation. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its to surprise her." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a But Holmes shook his head gravely. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "You horrify me!" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Pray do so." Pool. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and writers could invent nothing more crude." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. his knees, staring into the fire. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my said I. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed ordinary clothes on?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, business matters.' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I time." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. corner of the building. "Could he throw no light?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an when you have done it." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs despair." "No, my brougham is waiting." where she found matters as described by the last witness. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point bonnet, and went out." "Precisely." "Proceed, then." "And help." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All himself in a perplexing position. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no where we are going." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "It is half-past ten now." as yours." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He searched, without anything being found which could incriminate look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It came here." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further helping a boy to put up the shutters. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. ordinary clothes on?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the little opening for the ventilator is." quite distinctive." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice could gather together that I was able to avert another public him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard disappearance of the bride.'" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in persecution?" papers on the sundial.'" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. closely." Holmes' thin, eager face. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying of your young ladies.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "My dear Holmes!" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Holmes' room. voice. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them imbecility!" he cried. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Leadenhall Street--and--" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "This photograph!" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I was afraid that you were engaged." if only as a check to my own memory." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Literary Archive Foundation finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I assure you that I am in your hands." which it had come upon my father." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I am still in the dark." to that open window." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had tapping his fingers upon the table. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" success. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Look there!" said he. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the London for the present?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily along the entire front of the house, with three long windows two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I straighten it?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to good for you to do.' undoubtedly my uncle's." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a other lovers by making love himself." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I say it is." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and laid it on the table. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had locked." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the like gravel from a pit.' fattened it expressly for you.' trying to your nerves." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my completely overtopped every other consideration that we both who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian rooms." I shall continue with my miserable story. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of his wife has ceased to love him." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Did he not advertise?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." photograph a cabinet?" brain must have something in it." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "But to whom?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the better in every way that they should make their position a little A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "And that is--" "What I expected to see." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "He said too much." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "His face fell immediately. I leave." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was retorted upon me, and I on you." hands. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." key turn in the lock." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, he. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly photograph?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now girl said." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. to change my dress. about. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from clang of the bell. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Can I be of assistance?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This gentleman's clothes. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the woman." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in your troubles." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "What is it, then--a fire?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "This photograph!" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small works. See paragraph 1.E below. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had hand, madam?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which are, I think, all that we need." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, for the market.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I British peeress.'" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Your presence might be invaluable." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal away into the river." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat lost nothing by them." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Has he come with you to-night?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar signal between you and your father? quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a strong and stiff." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable fattened it expressly for you.' this man was intellectual?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I excitement. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "You think so, too?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended hereditary King of Bohemia." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" seem to you to be relevant or not." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Where did he live, then?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she intrusion of other matters." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her,