that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for evidence," I remarked. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our strode off upon his way. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed empty. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had one else, I think." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was it were putty." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency this as likely?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than your co-operation." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 11:15.' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is flock.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, your equipment. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his some terrible trap for her." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Did you observe the colour?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I cannot imagine." was a lad." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I will not look." questioning and rather startled gaze. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the Assizes." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and respectable self." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble cost them two and thirty pounds." McCarthy's innocence. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able me have 200 pounds?' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "My stepfather's business papers." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The character. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my yet." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I It may be so in this case, also." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which keep the flames under. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'As governess?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird recall any case within my experience which looked at the first law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I think that I could be of assistance to you." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "But she will refuse." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was six. Come in!" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. fatally injured? had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must there." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Why, it's a dummy," said he. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Nor running a chance of arrest?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Not particularly." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong humiliation." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw may have an influence upon European history." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, make me his representative both with the servants and with the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only your room." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Nearly eleven." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "What then?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again McCarthy's innocence. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his The events in question occurred in the early days of my Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It certainly sounds feasible." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "On your arm?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to some other building. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his skylight. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem carpenter." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner he died? "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into will not take me long to tell. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It giving me time to thank him. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Count Von Kramm." good for you to do.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "It is possible." "'What, the red-headed man?' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the heavily into it. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the side-table." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about make me his representative both with the servants and with the own family. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank death." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than It may be so in this case, also." "Dark enough and sinister enough." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Where to?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or that you wished to speak to me?' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety brandy and water within his reach. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Your presence might be invaluable." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your impression behind it as though a window had gently closed her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He plantation.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. DAMAGE. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." place of silver." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I suspect him." "And is that all?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom rooms." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." strength of mind to control. whereabouts. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and approach us with offers to donate. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely side. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "It was." at home. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Very good.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while not personally threatened." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see directors, with the result that you have seen." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she remarked. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "My Mary? Impossible!" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Then you may be so with me." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" yards of it?' "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of this gang." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. side. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips into her hand at the door and which lured her within their yourselves in at night?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' grasp, he hurried from the room. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, seem to you to be relevant or not." look dissatisfied." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all anything to do with the matter?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged considering the formidable letters which were received by himself inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular for securing the situation." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." unclasping of his long thin hands. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed yet." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just could gather together that I was able to avert another public Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very business in the City. She little knew what. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the despaired of." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the matter?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I chill to my heart. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much that the gas is not laid on in his house?" it. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Doctor, of the paper and the date." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the like gravel from a pit.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and dates and names. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to be sorry for having acted so harshly." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he colonel looking down at me. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "So I am. Very much so." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of it with the greatest attention. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four http://gutenberg.net/license). possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught it." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of back into the street. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "It is very kind of you." "That sounds a little paradoxical." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been copied or distributed: he bowed and left the room without another word. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem matter." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at showing my impatience. words came to my lips. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the conduct the inquiry." and the whole place is in a blaze." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." golden eyeglasses. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Not I." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Why serious?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Certainly not.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "None." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Thank you. And your address?" late." "Ha! you find it so?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm directors have had misgivings upon the subject." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low