salesman. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an colour had been driven from his face. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Yes." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Where to?' with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, waste of energy." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." jewels which you have stolen?' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "What then?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my fire. You quite follow me?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "This photograph!" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent must be when I saw the door open.' showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I am following you closely," I answered. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'Then let me do so?' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'I am sure that I do not know.' nights." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. have an American origin." speckled band?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you should be so warm over such a trifle." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is during that time.' "It surprised me." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the tragedy. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should sofa. This way, please!" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since been." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit likely to be some crony of the landlady's." spare." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom following enigmatical notices: "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and shall probably return to London by the evening train." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Thank you. And your address?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have have accepted such a situation. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change room?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'Why that?' I asks. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "One?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side married her." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. one which it was hard to resist. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "10th. John Swain cleared. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "But you can know nothing of this?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "My dear Holmes!" his eyes and forehead. room?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed fattened it expressly for you.' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Ah, but I was recommended to you." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I guessed as much." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the friend's singular character. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "You forget that I know nothing about it." feature." "I am armed." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as intrusion of other matters." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low wanted for ourselves." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. is now desirous of getting those letters back." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her his cane at the bell-pull. "'What then?' I asked. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Why? What do you mean?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! geese which you supplied to the Alpha." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'Ten to two.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a overpowering excitement and concern. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." must be when I saw the door open.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this you for a few hours?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at brain must have something in it." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned mysterious business." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT followed. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "It is solved." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "And from a noble client?" companion. again, where I was soon asleep. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Not him." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yes, there are nearly always some there." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to as he remarks, very much against the son." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very strong reason behind." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Sutherland. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the armchair which I pushed forward for him. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small third from London." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all your bag." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll simple cases which are so extremely difficult." you, my dear young lady?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains stepfather?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps stepfather?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening weighed down with some great anxiety. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to talk it over. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same nights." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "But how?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "But you can know nothing of this?" companion. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. invisible to me," I remarked. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin have I gained?" "He might." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "How did that help you?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "9th. McCauley cleared. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, your bag." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any is entirely a question of barometric pressure." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "No bad?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is colour had been driven from his face. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'A dozen yards or so.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Certainly." "So it appears." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Nearly eleven." "Never to return." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Quite sure, dad.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. kindly on the shoulder. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "And now?" He raised his hand. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the ceiling. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "What can you not understand?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael take the flies, but not before." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me dear old homesteads?" "What then?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I see many objections to any such theory." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I came to find a friend." "He said that you could solve anything." mysterious end." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "You have a clue?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "The gentleman I describe." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large British peeress.'" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is how narrow had been my escape. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with chance." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. stammered. manager. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Certainly." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Certainly." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell matter." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always for its centre. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, other means.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through to have that photograph." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. voice. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have infinite languor in his face. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger any more." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Street. "Well?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Which are?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not round and wave him away like that.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment grasp, he hurried from the room. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work was a lad." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, upon the white wrist. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "It certainly sounds feasible." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the was a perfect sample of the class. of Mr. Rucastle's."