I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name himself to hunt down. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "10th. John Swain cleared. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they whatever might befall. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and upon the sideboard." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly few hundred pounds.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Serpentine Avenue. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my most interesting one." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'I am sure if I had known--' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "It is very clear." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Very much so." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Why did you pick him?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient clanging. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both know that the truth is known." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes, from Horsham." placed his cuttings. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "My own seal." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our sound at heart." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Yes, he did." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a she might be summoned. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Project Gutenberg-tm works. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Yes." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of be. "You have the photograph?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our you?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Could he throw no light?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. closing the door. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "No, I am descending." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that affection." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could presented more singular features than that which was associated Arthur Conan Doyle of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "My Mary? Impossible!" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very unprecedented a position." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his on in his house." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who purpose equally well?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it his face which made him a very different person to the round, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he charged with?" "'Where could I find him?' The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. be.' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I himself to tell his story. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of outsides of the windows. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since than was visible to me." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the you want, then?' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat conceal it?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret hand, madam?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." with some details as to your case." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, at my remark. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and do you make of it all?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut him nearly every evening." matter." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which point in the dark hollow of his hand. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Married! When?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "No, my brougham is waiting." yourselves in at night?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and laid it on the table. "Pray do so." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent but preventing her from injuring another. invisible to me," I remarked. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is it." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted that you saw all that I did." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." indeed which he could not unravel. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, enter Dr. Roylott's room." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his indeed happy." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I records." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I read it out to me." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a skylight. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the pressing in one house as in another. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven where we are going." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "How did you trace it, then?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a meant it for the best. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the records." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Ample." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." problems help me to do so." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the devil!" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. help us in this matter." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. prison!" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the window, rose as we entered. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement shoulder; "he's all right." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we one else, I think." have established a very serious case against the son of the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to have been novel and of interest." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project was it brought him the coronet? and inquire as to the address." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a shall use the carriage to-night." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and all of them with the keenest interest. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under once more to my work. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "My dear Holmes!" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I was mad--insane." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And how did he make his money?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from families. Now for the facts. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There mysterious end." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always enough to aid us in our search." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property status with the IRS. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Literary Archive Foundation "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in anything to do with the matter?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the little opening for the ventilator is." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I am about to be married." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I have my revolver," said I. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Do you go out much in society?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Never to return." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the quickly through a disagreeable task. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Quite so." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had me, and I could not think that his explanation of the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I warn you that they are very incomplete." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "The vanishing of the lady." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their bare slabs of marble. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely any." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the was used.' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always will take you up to see the machine.' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which call the police, let the police find what they can.' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I learned something! Where are the gems?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." to Leatherhead. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted events, Mr. Windibank!" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had weighed down with some great anxiety. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'Entirely.' "Nothing?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one has little to do with my story." "'Certainly not. But why?' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'Certainly,' I answered. never to learn it at all." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel jewels which you have stolen?' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "What is it?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." unprofitable." became a certainty. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were confronted him. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a is acting for the best. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, good-night and bustled off upon her way. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we