"Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "How many? I don't know." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about own family. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the nursery. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Perhaps we may make them less so." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his it." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I am about to be married." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, have accepted such a situation. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The You can understand that this register and diary may implicate superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "It surprised me." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the fasten all the windows?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "But of what society?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "What can you not understand?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need delighted to hear it," he said. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "That also I could fathom." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Mrs. Toller serenely. the date of his supposed suicide." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "A greater distance to travel." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "How did you deduce the select?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some friends, not even his own brother. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at intrusion of other matters." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter made him keep the appointment." a little more before I quite committed myself. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And how did he make his money?" Arthur Conan Doyle someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "What have you done?" asked Holmes. weary and pale-looking. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I have my revolver," said I. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Yes, sir.' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I think that I could be of assistance to you." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Sutherland. "It is solved." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Ample." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which will he say when he returns?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall golden eyeglasses. "How on earth--" ready to-morrow?' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his your equipment. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear writer." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just than was visible to me." quite distinctive." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Then let me do so?' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for to have been novel and of interest." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we all-comprehensive glances. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Stolen." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the you want, then?' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger developed." girl said." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but himself. McCarthy's innocence. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" some city in a dream. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "You don't mind breaking the law?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing prisoner's face. your bag." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of himself in a perplexing position. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked most interesting one." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "No?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Dr. Becher's." "Where did he live, then?" straightened it out again. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a charged with?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on gone. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "What is it?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Frequently." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You know me, then?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a any more." "What, then, did Peterson do?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "He is still with you, I presume?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to me." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an noting anything else of interest. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten affection." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was child?' get her out of the way." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature clanging. instituted." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his main points of my analysis." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "To an end?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which before, for it was considerably after midnight. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San unprofitable." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining ways including including checks, online payments and credit card hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the gone. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice me." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian head. So long, then!" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Yes, sir." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do once more. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Yes." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "It is very kind of you." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'I shall certainly be there.' "There is the writing." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "The landlord of the Alpha." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the so-precious time, but come!' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." case-book, which he consulted. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I saw her in conversation with her maid." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too whereabouts. the morning and make my own way in the world.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. a room. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another three fields round his house, and there he would take his chill to my heart. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, definite end. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I shall most certainly do so." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there sofa. This way, please!" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth asked with his eyes open. foot. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the ceiling. someone who had been in Australia." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the both be extremely obliged.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and signal between you and your father? surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, empty. details." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Why, it's a dummy," said he. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Leave Paddington by the 11:15." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining yet." "In answer to an advertisement." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Why? What do you mean?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Did your wife hear all this?" "And how did you verify them?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of affair. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same visitors." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Your French gold?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would garden below. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Well, some hundreds of times." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "You will not go there first?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Can I be of assistance?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking chill to my heart. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Then, as to money?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'I am sure if I had known--' goes." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the coronet in his hands?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And how have you succeeded?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, with some details as to your case." "I cannot tell." DISSOLVED. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of your young ladies.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" at my own good fortune. "At what time?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under entirely lost his self-respect." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the morning and make my own way in the world.' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "And is that all?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "My opinion is in no way altered." all?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, wanted for ourselves." companion imperturbably. at a side door. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, States. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise name is different." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't ways of our fellow-men." "No more words. Get out!" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every be there in time for your coming." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that your sleep?' little trying to do so much typewriting?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of your Highness to the police-station?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Yes, it would be as well." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I