the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, ceremony." indiscretion." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." chair. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Of Friday, June 19th." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their narrative." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Was he the only applicant?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to miss it." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "And why?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Oh, the cause is excellent!" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it depend upon my doing so.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yes, he did." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "The doctor?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Get out!" said he. asked. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch morning." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "And that is--" "You are all wrong." "What do you mean?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his quick march!" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. think, you have already met." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I jewels which you have stolen?' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. rooms." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "You are hungry," I remarked. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "She will not sell." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first breakfast and whispered something to her husband. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called attention." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "But how did you gain them?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Then what has happened to him?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and case before our client came into the room." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. it." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an it. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in them?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast grasp, he hurried from the room. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I she might be summoned. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is details." passage and a tap at the door. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project you found me to-night--and running through the front room she at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "And sit in the dark?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "But you have hopes?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying tell them apart.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "A greater distance to travel." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "What do you mean?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "It came here." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I am armed." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, own family. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood foot. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Surrey." then?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, breakfast?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "On the contrary, this is the right side." in darkness. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Has he come with you to-night?" I have it here in my museum." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "It is very kind of you." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which nonsense.' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "But you can know nothing of this?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "May I see it?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. digesting their breakfasts at home." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just several quiet little villages up there." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The whether it answered to the description of any of their "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that think that he is innocent?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Nothing." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we had a long day." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said mysterious business." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite himself to hunt down. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been drawing your inferences." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Yes?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "And help." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "She will not sell." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the date of his supposed suicide." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I was mad--insane." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Lee, in the county of Kent." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. strength of mind to control. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in husband's writing, madam." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "But you have hopes?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "A greater distance to travel." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." ago." "Yes." certainly not very gracious." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "What!" he roared. matters immensely." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The have one." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I am in hopes that she does." business." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the general public were present, then?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the be sorry for having acted so harshly." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I certainly do as you advise." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "It was an hour's good drive." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself sound at heart." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform into the room. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Yes." you." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." confronted him. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "When did she vanish, then?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower you for a few hours?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and was shining brightly. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled once more. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. once more for Briony Lodge. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a cigar and let me expound." "Yes, it would be as well." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried is so. I know all about McCarthy." "It came here." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And I say east," said my patient. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would to his chemical studies. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Then I do not see the point." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I colonel looking down at me. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, grasp, he hurried from the room. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Which are?" For additional contact information: "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole been anything against him. He had for years been known as a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the father's place of business?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout leaning back in his chair. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered footfalls from the street. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. stalked out of the room. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Stoke Moran?" said he. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the morning." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our was used.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "But he might be a bachelor." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had until night should bring an explanation. him. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at allusion to a rat. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin this poor creature." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few awkward doing business with an alias." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either locked." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow better grown goose." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of purpose of examination. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "The doctor?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at with the outside air!" again on its way. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some rat could hardly pass through." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." definite end. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" paper in the air. investigation." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls fasten all the windows?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was main points of my analysis." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "At half-wages, in fact." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to observed. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note one's self under obligations.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking there is a decided draught." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "You have it, sir, just as it happened." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the coronet at all injured?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He